Unleashing Innovation: The Role of IoT in Shaping the Future of Business

Introduction: Embracing the Internet of Things (IoT)

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, staying ahead of the curve is imperative for success. One of the key technologies driving this evolution is the Internet of Things (IoT). At its core, IoT refers to the network of interconnected devices that can communicate and exchange data seamlessly. From smart thermostats to wearable devices and industrial sensors, IoT is revolutionizing how businesses operate and innovate.

Transforming Industries Through IoT Integration

Retail Sector

The retail industry is experiencing a paradigm shift thanks to IoT integration. Retailers are leveraging IoT devices to gain deeper insights into consumer behavior, optimize inventory management, and enhance the overall shopping experience. For instance, RFID tags on products enable real-time tracking of inventory levels, reducing stockouts and improving supply chain efficiency.

Healthcare Domain

In healthcare, IoT-enabled devices are enhancing patient care and streamlining processes. Wearable health monitors can track vital signs in real-time, allowing for early detection of health issues and remote patient monitoring. Additionally, IoT solutions facilitate the seamless exchange of medical data between healthcare providers, leading to improved collaboration and better patient outcomes.

Manufacturing Industry

IoT is revolutionizing the manufacturing sector by enabling Industry 4.0 initiatives. Connected sensors and machines gather data throughout the production process, enabling predictive maintenance, reducing downtime, and optimizing resource utilization. Moreover, IoT-driven automation enhances productivity and enables agile responses to changing market demands.

Driving Business Innovation with IoT

Data-Driven Decision Making

One of the most significant benefits of IoT is the wealth of data it generates. By collecting and analyzing data from various sources, businesses can gain valuable insights into customer preferences, operational inefficiencies, and market trends. This data-driven approach empowers organizations to make informed decisions, identify new revenue streams, and stay ahead of the competition.

Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity

IoT technologies streamline business processes, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. Automated workflows, predictive maintenance, and real-time monitoring enable organizations to optimize resource allocation, minimize waste, and maximize output. By eliminating manual tasks and reducing downtime, businesses can allocate more time and resources to innovation and growth.

Seamless Connectivity and Collaboration

IoT fosters seamless connectivity and collaboration across departments and geographies. By enabling devices to communicate and share data in real-time, IoT breaks down silos and facilitates cross-functional collaboration. Whether it's coordinating supply chain logistics or enabling remote team collaboration, IoT empowers businesses to operate more cohesively and adapt swiftly to market changes.

Overcoming Challenges and Security Concerns

While IoT offers tremendous potential, it also presents unique challenges, particularly regarding security and privacy. With the proliferation of connected devices, businesses must prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and mitigate the risk of cyberattacks. Implementing robust encryption protocols, regular security audits, and proactive threat detection mechanisms are essential steps in safeguarding IoT ecosystems.

Conclusion: Embracing the IoT Revolution

In conclusion, the Internet of Things (IoT) is poised to revolutionize the future of business across industries. By harnessing the power of connected devices and data-driven insights, organizations can drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and stay competitive in today's dynamic marketplace. While challenges remain, the potential benefits of IoT adoption far outweigh the risks, making it a strategic imperative for businesses looking to thrive in the digital age.

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IoT Forensics vs. Digital Forensics: Understanding the Differences

In today's digital age, the amount of data we generate is increasing at an unprecedented rate. With the widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the number of connected devices is projected to reach 50 billion by 2025. This has led to an increased need for digital forensics, the process of collecting, analyzing, and preserving electronic data for use in legal proceedings. However, with the rise of IoT devices, a new type of forensics has emerged: IoT forensics. In this article, we will explore the differences between IoT forensics and digital forensics.

What is Digital Forensics?

Digital forensics is the process of collecting, analyzing, and preserving electronic data in a forensically sound manner for use in legal proceedings. This process is used to investigate a range of crimes, including cybercrime, fraud, and intellectual property theft. Digital forensics involves the use of various tools and techniques to extract data from electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and tablets.

What is IoT Forensics?

IoT forensics, on the other hand, is a relatively new field that focuses on the investigation of data generated by IoT devices. IoT devices are typically small, low-power devices that are designed to collect data and transmit it over the internet. Examples of IoT devices include smart home devices, wearables, and medical devices. IoT forensics involves the collection, analysis, and preservation of data from these devices for use in legal proceedings.

Key Differences between IoT Forensics and Digital Forensics

While IoT forensics and digital forensics share some similarities, there are also several key differences between the two.

Device Complexity

One of the main differences between IoT forensics and digital forensics is the complexity of the devices involved. IoT devices are often small and low-power, with limited processing power and storage capacity. This can make it more challenging to extract data from these devices compared to traditional digital devices such as computers and smartphones.

Data Types

Another key difference between IoT forensics and digital forensics is the types of data involved. In digital forensics, the focus is typically on data stored on a device, such as files, emails, and text messages. In contrast, IoT forensics involves the investigation of data generated by IoT devices, which can include sensor data, GPS data, and other types of data that are not typically found on traditional digital devices.

Network Connections

IoT devices are typically connected to the internet and other devices through wireless networks, which can make them more vulnerable to hacking and other security threats. This means that IoT forensics must take into account the potential for network-based attacks, as well as the possibility that the device's data may have been intercepted during transmission.

Legal Considerations

Another key difference between IoT forensics and digital forensics is the legal considerations involved. While digital forensics is well-established in the legal system, IoT forensics is still a relatively new field. This means that there may be legal challenges involved in using data generated by IoT devices as evidence in court.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while both IoT forensics and digital forensics share some similarities, there are also several key differences between the two. IoT forensics is a relatively new field that focuses on the investigation of data generated by IoT devices, while digital forensics involves the investigation of data stored on traditional digital devices. Understanding the differences between the two fields is essential for investigators and legal professionals who may encounter IoT devices in their work.

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What Is IoT? Internet of Things Explained in Detail

The world is rapidly becoming more digitized, with nearly every aspect of our lives connected to the internet, from streaming services to smart devices. IoT, or the Internet of Things, refers to the interconnectedness of everyday objects and devices that can collect and share data, such as your Fitbit or the kitchen fridge. The potential for increased efficiency, convenience, and safety is huge, but there are also some inherent security risks associated with IoT.

What Is IoT? 

IoT is a system of interconnected devices and objects that can collect and exchange data. The IoT can be used to create smart homes, smart cities, and connected devices that make our lives easier and more efficient (AWS).

IoT devices typically come with sensors that enable them to collect and transmit data from their surroundings to a central server. This data can be used to control the device or trigger specific actions. For example, a car sensor could be used to detect when the vehicle is low on fuel and automatically order more from the nearest fuel station.

What Are the 3 Types of IoT Devices?

There are three main types of IoT devices: consumer, enterprise, and industrial (Brown, 2020).

Consumer IoT refers to devices that individuals use for personal use, including smart home devices, wearable tech, and connected cars. Enterprise IoT consists of devices that businesses and organizations use, such as security cameras, point-of-sale systems, and fleet management systems. Industrial IoT devices are used in industrial settings, like manufacturing plants and factories.

Each type of IoT device has its own set of benefits and challenges. Consumer IoT devices are often less expensive and easier to use than enterprise or industrial IoT devices. However, they may not be as secure or reliable. Enterprise IoT devices are typically more expensive and complex, but they offer more features and greater security. Industrial IoT devices are usually the most expensive and complex but provide the highest level of security and reliability.

What Is an Example of an IoT Device?

An example of an IoT device is a Nest thermostat. The Nest thermostat is connected to the internet and can be controlled remotely. It can also be programmed to automatically adjust the temperature based on your location and schedule. Other examples of IoT devices include smart TVs, home security systems, and smart refrigerators.

What Are the Benefits of IoT?

IoT devices can track and manage inventory, IoT monitoring, control energy use, control analytics with platforms like ThingSpeak, and much more. The benefits of IoT are many and varied, but some of the most notable advantages include:

1. Improved efficiency: One of the primary benefits of IoT is that it can help organizations to become more efficient. By collecting data from devices and sensors, businesses can gain insights into their operations and identify areas where improvements can be made. For instance, an organization might use IoT data to optimize its production line or to reduce energy consumption.

2. Improved safety: IoT devices can be used to improve safety by monitoring conditions and providing early warning of potential hazards. For example, sensors can be used to detect gas leaks, fires, or flooding. By providing early warnings, IoT devices can help to prevent accidents and save lives.

3. Reduced costs: The improved efficiency that comes with IoT can also lead to reduced costs. By eliminating waste and reducing energy consumption, businesses can save money. Additionally, the data collected by IoT devices can be used to generate new revenue streams or to develop new products and services.

What Industries Benefit from IoT?

IoT is already impacting several industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and transportation. Here are some examples of how IoT is being used in these industries:

◉ Manufacturing: Manufacturers are using IoT to track production equipment and inventory levels in real time. This information can be used to improve production efficiency and quality control.

◉ Healthcare: Healthcare providers are using IoT to track patients’ vital signs and medical records. This information can be used to improve patient care and prevent medical errors.

◉ Energy: Energy companies are using IoT to monitor energy consumption and optimize the distribution of power. This information can be used to reduce energy costs and help the environment.

◉ Transportation: Transportation companies are using IoT to track vehicles and their surroundings. This information can be used to improve safety, efficiency, and traffic flow.

What Problems Can IoT Solve?

IoT can be used to solve many different types of problems, both big and small. Here are just a few examples:

◉ Tracking inventory levels in real time: With IoT devices attached to products, businesses can track inventory levels in real time and automatically reorder stock when levels get low. This eliminates the need for manual inventory checks and reduces the chances of products selling out.

◉ Improving safety: IoT devices can be used to monitor environmental conditions and alert people to potential hazards. For example, sensors can be used to detect gas leaks or smoke and then send an alert to those in the area.

◉ Reducing traffic congestion: Municipalities can use IoT to reduce traffic congestion by collecting data on traffic patterns. This is done by adjusting traffic signals and routing vehicles along less congested routes.

What Are the Risks of IoT?

Every day, technology advances, bringing with it new risks. IoT is no different. In fact, it may be even more dangerous due to the interconnectedness of devices. Let’s look at some of the risks associated with IoT so that you can be aware of them and take steps to protect yourself.

One of the biggest risks with the Internet of Things is data breaches. Because these devices are connected to the internet, especially LPWAN, they are vulnerable to hacking. If a malicious hacker can gain access to one device, they can often gain access to others on the same network. This could allow them to steal personal data or even cause physical damage (ARCHON).

Another risk is that of malware, which is software that is designed to damage or disable computers. It can be used to steal data, delete files, or even take control of a device. IoT devices are particularly susceptible to malware because they often have weak security.

The Internet of Things is a constantly growing network of interconnected devices that can communicate with each other. These devices range from simple everyday objects to complex industrial machines.

As the number of IoT devices and IoT-based projects continues to grow, so does their potential to solve various problems and improve our lives. However, there are also risks associated with this technology that must be considered before implementing it into your business or personal life.

If you want in-depth training on IoT security, consider EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker v12 program. It trains learners on various operational technology (OT) and IoT attacks, hacking techniques, tools, and countermeasures. The course teaches participants the latest commercial-grade hacking tools, techniques, and methodologies used by hackers and information security professionals to lawfully hack an organization.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Understanding the Meaning and Purpose of IoT Forensics

Cybercrime is a serious threat to any organization, with data breach costs reaching over USD 4 million on average (Mack, 2021). Companies today face many potential cyber risks each year, and the results can be catastrophic.

Since Internet of Things (IoT) devices often face attacks as soon as 5 minutes after connecting, they can present a severe vulnerability (Jovanović, 2022). The number of devices connected to the internet has skyrocketed and now includes many medical devices, smart home components, and even e-cigarettes.

With the increase in IoT devices, IoT-related cyberattacks have also grown, giving rise to the field of IoT forensics. What does digital forensics mean in the IoT context, and what is its purpose?

What Is IoT Forensics?

IoT forensics is the practice of analyzing IoT devices to investigate crimes. Organizations or law enforcement may hire experts to gather and preserve data when investigating whether hackers used internet-connected devices to commit cybercrimes or examining the source of a security breach.

In some instances, breaches occur due to malicious intent. In other cases, they may result from human error—for example, if an employee shares sensitive information due to a phishing attack. The employee may have had no intention to steal data or harm the company, yet the results of sharing that data accidentally can be just as catastrophic. These phishing attacks cause nearly nine out of 10 data breaches (Cisco Umbrella, 2021).

Cyber forensics can help determine the exact intent and extent of a breach and much more. Typical IoT-related cyberthreats may include:

◉ Malware, including ransomware

◉ Botnets and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks

◉ Data theft

IoT forensics does not just involve the investigation of cybercrimes. Even on-site crimes like burglaries may produce data on various devices that can assist in an investigation. However, the investigation process will vary depending on whether the device is smart or not, which brings us to the difference between IoT forensics and digital forensics.

IoT Forensics vs. Digital Forensics

In short, digital forensics is any forensic investigation dealing with digital evidence, while IoT forensics is a more specialized branch of digital forensics focused on devices connected to the internet.

Connection to the internet provides unfortunate opportunities for data corruption or misplacement, but it also ensures that most data is readily available for legal review by an expert. IoT forensics experts use various methods to find digital evidence.

Extracting Data from IoT Devices

IoT forensics relies on sensors placed in various devices, such as smart kitchen appliances or wearables like fitness trackers. These sensors collect data that the device then transfers to the cloud, where it can be stored, analyzed, or otherwise made available to intended recipients (Joseph, 2021). This is where cloud forensics and IoT forensics intersect: the retrieval of data that has been transferred from IoT devices to the cloud.

Since data travels through various networks and multiple sources, there can be considerable differences in the methods used for locating crucial digital evidence. Any computer forensics investigation must include provisions for multiple standards and data formats.

Challenges in IoT Forensics

Some data is heavily encrypted, and in some cases, decryption may be highly problematic—for example, if the decryption token has been lost or corrupted or if the encryption method is unusual or error prone. Often, data suffers from corruption during transfer or as vendors store it over extended periods.

Thankfully, many companies have policies for preserving data throughout a specific period. However, providers also typically protect data from access except when someone can prove a legal right to access the data. This means that data forensics may require legal action and many special permissions that can be difficult to obtain, depending on the individual policy of the storage provider.

In summary, the challenges facing cyber forensics investigations of IoT devices include:

◉ Lack of data standardization across vendors

◉ Difficulty in decryption

◉ Data corruption

◉ Restrictions related to data protection and privacy laws

Locating Data Traces

Maintaining data quality in evidence is essential for IoT forensics (Gómez et al., 2021). Extracting data involves working around the challenges of following a digital “footprint” through the various data collection and storage stages. This can be complex depending on the quality of the data.

IoT forensics experts have developed various automated methods to simplify the investigation process and make it more effective, resulting in clean, parsed, and structured data that can be used for investigative purposes.

1. Data Traces on Devices

This usually begins with uncovering information within the device itself, such as a smartphone. Unfortunately, many devices only store data for a short time. While most data leaves “traces” behind, these could be fragile and easily corrupted.

2. Data Traces in Networks

Networks used to transfer data may also maintain traces for a specific time. Again, these data traces are fragile and may disappear quickly. Moreover, different networks and processes will use varied encryption methods, creating additional hurdles.

3. Data Traces in the Cloud

Any data transferred from IoT devices that is then stored in or moved within the cloud will leave digital traces behind. Cloud service vendors and ethical hackers can often aid in cyber forensics by preserving and recovering such relics. Of course, they do so only when the recipient has the legal authority to make such a request.

Source: eccouncil.org

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The role of Artificial Intelligence in Internet of Things

Imagine a smart future! A future where machines are not merely dumb devices but intelligent creations that can work in tandem with human beings. A future that looks remarkably like the robotic utopia in I, Robot (Well, except the homicidal robots!). This future is not merely an imagination but a natural consequence of the two most dynamic technologies of today – Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things.

Now the question arises…What is Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things?

Well, Artificial Intelligence deals with the creation of systems that can learn to emulate human tasks using their prior experience and without any manual intervention. (Basically Intelligent Systems!). Internet of Things, on the other hand, is a network of various devices that are connected over the internet and they can collect and exchange data with each other.

Why is Artificial Intelligence required for IoT?

According to Business Insider, there will be more than 64 billion IoT devices by 2025, up from about 9 billion in 2017. All these IoT devices generate a lot of data that needs to be collected and mined for actionable results. This is where Artificial Intelligence comes into the picture. Internet of Things is used to collect and handle the huge amount of data that is required by the Artificial Intelligence algorithms. In turn, these algorithms convert the data into useful actionable results that can be implemented by the IoT devices.

This can be best summed in the words of Maciej Kranz, Vice President of Corporate Strategic Innovation at Cisco. “Without AI-powered analytics, IoT devices and the data they produce throughout the network would have limited value. Similarly, AI systems would struggle to be relevant in business settings without the IoT-generated data pouring in. However, the powerful combination of AI and IoT can transform industries and help them make more intelligent decisions from the explosive growth of data every day. IoT is like the body, and AI the brains, which together can create new value propositions, business models, revenue streams and services.”

Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Internet of Things

Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things is like a match made in Tech Heaven!!

While both of these disciplines have individual value, their true potential can only be realized together. There are many different applications across multiple industries that require Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things. Some of these are given as follows:

1. Collaborative Robots

Ever wanted the help of a robot? Well, that’s exactly what you will get with Collaborative Robots or Cobots. These Cobots are highly complex machines that are designed to help humans in a shared workspace with environments ranging from office to industrial. They can be a robot arm designed to perform tasks or even a complex robot designed to fulfill tough tasks.

2. Drones

Drones are aircraft without a human pilot (The piloting is done by the software!). They are extremely useful as they can navigate unknown surroundings(even those beyond the reach of the internet) and reach areas hazardous for humans such as offshore operations, mines, war zones or burning buildings.

3. Smart Cities

When everything is getting smart, why not whole cities? Smart cities can be created with a network of sensors that are attached to the physical city infrastructure. These sensors can be used to monitor the city for various civic factors such as energy efficiency, air pollution, water use, noise pollution, traffic conditions, etc.

4. Digital Twins

Digital Twins are twin (obviously!) objects in which one is a real-world object and the other is its digital replica. These objects can range from airplane engines to wind turbines. Digital Twins are mainly used to analyze the performance of the objects without using the traditional testing methods and so reducing the costs required for testing.

5. Smart Retailing

This is shopping made smart! AI and IoT can be used by retailers to understand the customer behavior (by studying the consumer online profile, in-store inventory, etc.) and then send real-time personalized offers while the customer is in the store.

Real World Examples

While Artificial Intelligence in the Internet of Things is a relatively new concept, it has already been successfully applied in many real-world applications. (Yeah, this world is more tech-savvy than we thought!) Some of these applications are given as follows:

Tesla Motors – Self Driving Cars: Self-driving cars sound like futuristic science-fiction yet they are very much a part of today’s reality. The Tesla Motors self-driving cars use the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things. While these cars are still in the testing phase (With multiple legal and ethical concerns as baggage!) they are still one of the easier innovations of IoT.

A unique feature of the Tesla self-driving cars is that all of them act like a connected network. Whenever one car learns some new information, that is passed on to all the other cars. And that is used to predict the behavior of cars and pedestrians on the road in various circumstances.

WildTrack – Endangered Species Preservation: There are many animals that are endangered or going extinct in various countries (No thanks to human of course!). Also, the traditional methods of tracking these animals with collars are stressful and dangerous (Both to the animals and researchers). So WildTrack’s footprint identification technique (FIT) uses IoT and AI algorithms to identify the species, individual, age and gender of an animal from its unique footprint. Then this data can be used to recognize patterns relating to animal movements, species population, etc. that help in preserving various endangered species.

Nest Labs – Smart thermostat: The Smart Thermostat (everything is becoming smart these days!) by Nest Labs uses IoT to allow temperature checking and controls from anywhere using smartphone integration. It is also quite simple to use, which is one of the primary reasons for its success (apart from AI and IoT of course!).

Artificial Intelligence plays a big role in the Nest Labs thermostat. It is used to understand the temperature preferences of the users and also their daily schedule. Then it adapts accordingly for optimal temperature and also maximum energy savings.

Automated vacuum cleaner – iRobot Roomba: When everything else is becoming smart, why not a smart vacuum cleaner? The iRobot Roomba is developed by three members of MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Lab and it uses IoT and AI to clean a room as efficiently as possible. It is a robotic vacuum cleaner that uses a set of sensors to detect obstacles, dirty spots on the floor or even steep drops such as stairs.

So, it essentially remembers the layout of the living space (As much as machines can anyway!) and then uses the most efficient and economical movements for cleaning. A smartphone app can be used to adjust the performance requirements with “Clean” mode, “Spot” mode, “Dock” mode, etc.

The Future Ahead

This is an exciting new time to live in (both for humans and machines!). With multiple advances in artificial intelligence, light-speed communications, and analytics, IoT is even more convenient and high-performance IoT devices are taking over almost every domain of technology. Moreover, the declining hardware costs make it feasible to embed sensors and connectivity in just about any device imaginable.

Taken together, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things are ushering in a new era where “smart” is just the normal state of being and the robotic utopia in the future appears more and more attainable in the present.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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IoT Career Opportunities: Ultimate Guide 2021

Introduction

IoT or the Internet of Things is one of the hottest areas growing on the internet. Track your vitals while you are running using FitBit? Scanning QR codes from the phone to make payments from your bank account? You name it, and IoT is there for you.

Well, the IoT, in layman’s terms, is to connect things to the internet and be able to control or monitor activities in any scenario irrespective of your location. With 5G under development, the Internet Of Things jobs are foreseen to sell like hotcakes soon.

IoT Career Opportunities

1. Data Analytics

In simple terms, it is one of the Internet of Things jobs that is aimed at making sense of whatever data you collect using your IoT devices which is otherwise just a heap of data. This role is essential in a firm as in this job; you should be very strong in statistical understanding, able to find correlations, tabulate your findings from data in a graphical and presentable manner and have knowledge of working with statistics-based languages like R, SAS as well as some Python libraries like NumPy, Pandas, etc. An individual having all these skills is considered an asset to a company.

2. Network and the Networking Structure

In the world of IoT, the hardware setup to deploy solutions can get complex, and the huge chunks of sensors and wires rigged up to different peripherals and ports contribute majorly to this complexity. In case even a single wire/connection fails due to some reason, the machine may not work as desired or not work at all. Hence, this calls for the need for a Network Architect. Professionals specializing in Network Setups and Networking would be required to ensure that all the connections work well. In short, employees in this field must be able to design an efficient network architecture that is foolproof of several wiring problems and follows all the communication protocols effectively. 

3. Security

One of the core problems of the Internet is safeguarding the users from hackers and malicious programs. Therefore one of the Internet of Things Jobs is dedicated to securing your devices. If this part of your IoT solution is compromised and a hacker gains control of one device, then eventually, the network does not stand invulnerable anymore, and all your data is put at risk. The professionals in this field are responsible for doing regular testing and challenging the system’s integrity with different techniques, find and fix security flaws wherever the system fails and put the whole process of using an IoT Device under a smooth and secured connection bubble. To work in this field, you must know Vulnerability Evaluation, Public Key Encryption, and know techniques to secure wireless networks. Cyber Security understanding is a good way to start towards this. 

4. Hardware and Devices

What makes a device ‘Smart’? Is it just by connecting any device to a network? Well, it is more than that. Organizations need to modify their devices to be able to fit the networks and work accordingly. Though it’s mostly an integration of several sensors and transmitters, it is one of the core jobs in the IoT industry. To deem fit for this IoT job, professionals must have the know-how of working with different sensor modules, transmitters, protocols, and integrators like Zigbee, BLE, etc.; and keep themselves updated with working towards any new device/technology that enters the mainstream.

5. User Interface

This IoT job seems easy to design compared to the jobs mentioned above but requires a whole amount of creativity as it is the UI that would sell your product in the market. A normal customer may not understand all the specifications of the device but would leverage his choices based on how comfortable it is to use it. An interactive and eye-catching UI that provides all the controls to customers and understanding is one of the selling points of your IoT product. There was a time when the computers only worked on a black screen with the users using only the Command Terminal and are managed only by some professionals but, with the onset of making all these devices available to the people, it has become our daily essential, and their presentability has changed more to User-friendly mode. If you choose to be a UI developer, your task would be to ensure that users get the best experience (or UX) with your creativity and designing skills. You should be able to put yourself in the shoes of your customers, understand and fulfill their requirements.

6. Sensors And Actuator Professional

Diving deep into the field of hardware and devices, this job will need you to be well versed with the knowledge of setting up the right type of sensors or actuators that serves well for the application and meets the design specifications and power requirements of your system. Your role would also be to test different tools and continuously pick the most optimum solution for any application. You would also be responsible for researching and staying updated with the industry and researching several technologies. As a hobbyist, one could start by buying a set of sensors and trying to do small projects before upskilling to a professional level. 

7. Embedded Programs Engineer

Another Internet of Things job dedicated to hardware is the most crucial part of your IoT device since it handles the software and control code. As an embedded programs engineer, your task would be to design several PCBs that match the utility of the problem under consideration and access the firmware of the device to program certain predefined and non-negotiable functions to access the networking of your device across. Integrating software engineering with non-computer devices and working closely with the hardware is the key role of Embedded Programs engineer. 

8. Artificial Intelligence

AI and Machine Learning Skills become essential when the task involves big data analysis and deriving findings. To create smart applications over huge volumes of data, technologies mentioned in AI and ML help in the long run. Job seekers need to understand algorithms designed in AI, ML, and different have a strong understanding of plotting libraries to represent data efficiently. 

To sum up, an IoT developer would work on

1. To research, build, test, and document state-of-the-art IoT solutions with integrated electronics and firmware development.

2. To develop innovative IoT mechanisms that help to monitor, execute, and perform self-diagnostic processes.

3. You should be well-versed in embedded software architecture – prior experience in working with UML use-case diagrams, class-diagrams, and sequence diagrams to accurately depict system architecture is highly valued.

4. To develop MEAN stack solutions.

5. To learn the functionings of and implement new state-of-the-art tools/techniques to showcase experience in quick prototyping methods and structured implementation.

6. To design and work on different solutions for cloud-to-edge IoT applications with customizable configuration abilities for deployment to different clients with different needs.

7. To work on tackling complex real-world problems.

8. To plan and work on tools to optimize the process.

Also Read: EC-Council Cyber Security Certification Practice Exams

Notable Skills required to become an IoT Developer

1. Consider practicing coding with multiple programming languages like embedded-C/C++ and Python. In several cases, people lack DSA skills and therefore can opt for courses like the one offered for free by Great Learning in DSA, GeeksForGeeks’ DSA Self-learning courses, and much more. You can also refer to Coursera for different programming specializations.

2. Understanding the Linux-OS and its several processes of file handling/ management and process control can help a lot. Courses offered by The Linux Foundation, Coursera, and Udemy can give a great start.

3. You should possess in-depth technical knowledge in working with 32-bit ARM cortex M3/M4 controllers.

4. You should have prior experience in working with wireless stacks like Zigbee or Thread or BLE-Mesh and expert knowledge in writing business logic on embedded environments using test-driven methodology on RTOS and non-RTOS platforms.

5. You should be proficient in communication protocols including I2C, SPI, 1-wire, UART, MODBUS, DALI and have excellent communication, problem-solving, and analytical thinking abilities. 

Salary trends in IoT

The IoT India Salary Study maintains that the salary of IoT professionals in India is nearly 76% higher than that of IT professionals. While IoT professionals get a median salary of ₹15.2 LPA, the median salary of IT professionals is around ₹8.65 LPA. For Entry Level- salaries start from: ₹3.5 – ₹6 LPA while the mid-level professionals can make around ₹10-25 LPA. 

Source: mygreatlearning.com

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