How cloud-first SD-WAN can simplify IoT adoption

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming lives, cities and workplaces as we speak. From real-time traffic information in connected cars to apps monitoring our blood pressure from our smartphones, Martin Bosshardt, CEO of Open Systems says we’re increasingly reliant on this disruptive tech to support, manage and enhance our everyday lives.

Enterprises are also seeing the value in such connectivity, with numerous examples of how IoT is significantly improving internal efficiencies, whether that be through automating previously manual processes, or using connected utilities to monitor office-space usage.

Indeed, IDC forecasts global spending on IoT will reach $1.2 trillion (€1 trillion) within the next three years – demonstrating its continued importance as a key enabler for consumers and businesses alike.

Enterprises are typically using IoT to streamline workflows and improve data optimisation. However, due to a shift in requirements and an explosion of end-points, organisations are facing a tremendous amount of complexity, all of which can impact processes. As a result, IoT and other edge devices are causing businesses to rethink the role of their network, where it exists, what it looks like, and how it must be managed.

Operating from a single pane of glass

With multiple locations connecting potentially thousands or even more ‘things’, it can become difficult to manage. In order to navigate this, organisations need to see data traffic flow in one simple interface – so they know exactly how their network is performing and what it is up-to in any one given moment. It is very hard to track an incident, for example, if you have to work on 10 different interfaces and try to understand which application is impacted on what level, where and why.

With technology such as SD-WAN, customers can reduce complexity, bring down costs, improve performance, automate operations and rely on a security layer that works and can be constantly improved without additional investments – all through a single view.

Isolating vulnerable IoT devices

While SD-WAN can deliver a more flexible network – in which data and bandwidth can be seamlessly shared across locations and territories – it does often result in questions being asked around security. These concerns are typically intensified when the notion of connected devices are brought into the equation.

Martin Bosshardt

There are endless IoT applications and devices employees can access, in addition multiple different security products in operation at any given enterprise. Yet by using SD-WAN ‘zoning’, IoT solutions or devices can be isolated to ensure that, even if they experience an attack, the entire enterprise does not become compromised.

SD-WAN provides management for these complex orchestrations, offering such capabilities to help operate IoT in a secure way. Additionally, implementing this zoning solution in a WAN infrastructure keeps attacks contained and buys crucial time for analysis and response to threats.

Securing the future

IoT can help an organisation reduce costs and help with the affordability of solutions, however, careful consideration needs to be made in regard to managing so many end-points. Not having a handle on increasing end-points can introduce threats that may ultimately cost a business more.

Deploying SD-WAN to manage the network and synchronise these connections will help future-proof an enterprise. Edge computing and IoT should be seen as an extension of the cloud, rather than an existing local WAN network, enabling closer proximity to users, applications and data to remain agile and react in real time. Implementing SD-WAN that utilises service chaining and security zoning solves the problems enterprises face with networking, removing the complexity of configuration and management to allow for greater focus on business growth.

The author is Martin Bosshardt, CEO, Open Systems

Comment on this article below or via Twitter: @IoTNow_OR @jcIoTnow

RECENT ARTICLES

Surrey leads new £8 million FORT centre for advancing secure networks

Posted on: March 18, 2024

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) announced that Surrey’s 5G/6G Innovation Centre will lead a new £8 million Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Open Secure Networks (FORT). 

Read more

Protecting assets with LTE, NTN & 5G LPWA

Posted on: March 15, 2024

In this compelling piece, part of the Key Industry Insights Series, Analyst Robin Duke-Woolley of Beecham Research and Kevin Guan of Fibocom, explain how LTE Cat 4/1/1bis/M, NTN and 5G LPWA are working to change the game for protecting goods and supply chains with total, global coverage asset tracking for reduced losses and improved operations

Read more
FEATURED IoT STORIES

What is IoT? A Beginner’s Guide

Posted on: April 5, 2023

What is IoT? IoT, or the Internet of Things, refers to the connection of everyday objects, or “things,” to the internet, allowing them to collect, transmit, and share data. This interconnected network of devices transforms previously “dumb” objects, such as toasters or security cameras, into smart devices that can interact with each other and their

Read more

The IoT Adoption Boom – Everything You Need to Know

Posted on: September 28, 2022

In an age when we seem to go through technology boom after technology boom, it’s hard to imagine one sticking out. However, IoT adoption, or the Internet of Things adoption, is leading the charge to dominate the next decade’s discussion around business IT. Below, we’ll discuss the current boom, what’s driving it, where it’s going,

Read more

9 IoT applications that will change everything

Posted on: September 1, 2021

Whether you are a future-minded CEO, tech-driven CEO or IT leader, you’ve come across the term IoT before. It’s often used alongside superlatives regarding how it will revolutionize the way you work, play, and live. But is it just another buzzword, or is it the as-promised technological holy grail? The truth is that Internet of

Read more

Which IoT Platform 2021? IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide

Posted on: August 30, 2021

There are several different parts in a complete IoT solution, all of which must work together to get the result needed, write IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide – Which IoT Platform 2021? authors Robin Duke-Woolley, the CEO and Bill Ingle, a senior analyst, at Beecham Research. Figure 1 shows these parts and, although not all

Read more

CAT-M1 vs NB-IoT – examining the real differences

Posted on: June 21, 2021

As industry players look to provide the next generation of IoT connectivity, two different standards have emerged under release 13 of 3GPP – CAT-M1 and NB-IoT.

Read more

IoT and home automation: What does the future hold?

Posted on: June 10, 2020

Once a dream, home automation using iot is slowly but steadily becoming a part of daily lives around the world. In fact, it is believed that the global market for smart home automation will reach $40 billion by 2020.

Read more

5 challenges still facing the Internet of Things

Posted on: June 3, 2020

The Internet of Things (IoT) has quickly become a huge part of how people live, communicate and do business. All around the world, web-enabled devices are turning our world into a more switched-on place to live.

Read more