What is the Internet of Things?

You may have seen the term Internet of Things thrown around on our site before. If you’ve found yourself Googling IoT, look no further. Here’s a quick explanation.

Defining the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things, or IoT, is the web of internet-connected objects, including physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other items embedded with electronics.

All of this internet-connected stuff collects and exchanges data using embedded sensors.

In a nutshell, refrigerators and trash cans that now come equipped with an internet connection (don’t laugh; it’s a real example) contribute to a more extensive network of physical objects that collect and exchange information. The World Wide Web isn’t just for your laptop anymore. It’s for your phone, thermostat, car, and a growing list of other items requesting permission to hop on your wifi.

You’ve probably heard of IoT for one of several reasons.

First, the growing number of IoT devices has led many to believe that there will be an insurmountable surge of capacity demand in the coming years, so much so that we should build many more submarine cables.

Second, there’s a real conversation around IoT and cybersecurity happening right now.

Internet-connected devices played a large role in the Dyn DDoS attack last fall. Security flaws within the Internet of Things have been long discussed, but always hypothetical. After the Dyn attack last year, you’ll likely see even more TechCrunch and Gizmodo pieces hypothesizing the future of IoT and IoT security.