Data: The Currency of the Internet of Things

In Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, data is everything. It’s the thing we collect, process, and analyze in order to identify and influence users, behaviors, and environments. And, when it comes to security in IoT solutions, data is the thing we seek to protect, not only to ensure privacy and safety, but also to ensure user confidence.

As noted in a report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on IoT, the “perceived risks to privacy and security, even if not realized, could undermine the consumer confidence necessary for the technologies to meet their full potential, and may result in less widespread adoption.” As the number of connected devices continues to grow, security must be a key priority for companies moving into the IoT space.

When securing data in IoT systems, it’s useful to think about it in three contexts: data at rest, data in motion, and data in use. Each type of data has inherent security challenges, and there are mechanisms well-suited to protect each. Understanding the available security options for each type of data, and which options make the most sense for your system, is a critical part of building a secure IoT platform.