The British media has a reputation to somewhat sensationalise stories. Of course, that’s a massive generalisation but the question is, is the press making a song and dance about M2M, the Internet of Things and their potential threat to privacy and security without justification?
This new technology is powerful, giving businesses the ability to manage, automate and control connections with total visibility. Meanwhile, the general public can use it in their everyday lives, from controlling their heating, to pressing a button to replenish their cupboards, says Anton Le Saux, head of Connectivity and Partner Sales at O2 Telefónica UK.
But this increased efficiency comes at a cost according to some. The media is constantly raising concerns about computers and sensors and the power they have to collect huge volumes of data. What happens if the data is hacked? And who is regulating this endless pool of data?
Most of the worry caused is exaggeration, but business and consumers do need to be clever and think about the ‘what ifs’.
The recent Talk Talk incident is a good example of the importance of security. A huge bank of information was hacked, leading to consumers worrying about criminals accessing their bank details and personal information. There is a fear of identity theft and of online information being abused.
Businesses employ M2M to drive efficiency and improve success. But this should not come at the expense of customers’, or your own, security. When data is collected and kept via the many sensors and reporting modules, businesses have a responsibility to ensure that the personal information is stored correctly, safely and that it is used wisely.
The Data Protection Act in the UK has rigorous rules in place to ensure the safety of information, and this is being developed further to keep up with technological developments.
Data security is taken seriously at O2, and we’ve got the tools and expertise to make sure that when companies implement M2M, they do so in the most efficient and security conscious way.
If you’ve been thinking about M2M but you’re cautious about the implementation of new technology and processes or about the initial cost and time, have a chat with our experts at O2. We’ve been at the forefront of M2M since the turn of the century and we can help you make the most of it.
The author of this blog is Anton Le Saux, head of Connectivity and Partner Sales at O2 Telefónica UK.
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