Reducing The Cost Of Equipment, Improving The Quality Of Applications, Making Systems More Intelligent, And Cheaper Access To The IoT Platform Has Attracted More Consumers To The IoT Ecosystem So That The IoT Platform Should Be An Important Component Of Describe The Improvement Of The Ecosystem And The Faster Growth Of The Internet Of Things.

Today, IoT platforms are available to many home and business users, helping them reduce costs and get equipment up and running faster. An important point that some businesses and users are unaware of is the term IoT platform, which has its own definition.

What is the IoT platform?

Every large system, such as the Internet of Things, needs hardware to function properly. In the IoT ecosystem, the term hardware refers to sensors and equipment that collect environmental data.

For example, humidity sensors can be installed in rooms or rooms and measure the humidity of the soil or air inside a room or building. For the hardware to be functional, it must send the data it generates or collects to the cloud for processing and then receive commands from the cloud. This is done through communication mechanisms such as mobile communications, WiFi, satellite, or Networks Long Range. To do this, an IoT system requires cloud-based applications that are responsible for analyzing data and making decisions. An IoT system needs an interface to be usable. This interface can allow consumers to interact with the Internet of Things through a central web-based dashboard or standalone applications.

However, the true value of an IoT system can only be determined when it can integrate with the business ecosystem and the data streams exchanged by other devices. With this description, we see that IoT platforms are the starting point for building IoT systems and allowing consumers and developers to take advantage of the potential of this technology by preparing tools and simplifying implementation and access to equipment. A powerful IoT platform simplifies access to communication mechanisms, data streams, and device management. IoT platforms provide a variety of services to consumers, the most important of which are:

•  Connecting equipment and sensors to each other.
•  Manage the various protocols used by networks and hardware.
•  Provide security mechanisms and authentication of devices and users.
• Collection, visualization, and analysis of data collected by sensors.

Integrating all the ecosystem requirements into a single entity allows users to manage them through targeted dashboards. If you look at the state of the IoT ecosystem and the platforms offered in this industry, you will see that the rule governing the world of mobile and desktop operating systems does not apply in this area. To be more precise, if Android and iOS are the dominant platforms in Windows and Mac desktops, you do not see the dominant platform in the IoT ecosystem because each offers its own capabilities. On the other hand, due to the widespread use of IoT in various industries, no company can impact all areas of this ecosystem, so different startups have entered the IoT industry, and each has focused on a specific topic. However, some companies outperform their competitors. For example, Amazon’s AWS IoT Core platform, Microsoft’s Azure IoT Hub, and Google’s Google IoT Core have been well-received by consumers. However, all of these platforms are focused on infrastructure, so consumers need the expertise to make the most of their services.

What are the challenges facing the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things, in addition to the potential benefits it offers, also presents challenges, the most important of which are:

Ecosystem security

Security is one of the biggest challenges of the Internet of Things. In most cases, sensors collect environmentally sensitive data. For example, what food a user orders, what songs they listen to, when they leave the house, or what they do at home are some of the information that sensors can easily collect. Companies have to protect their information in the best possible way to gain consumers’ trust. However, published reports indicate that the security mechanisms used by IoT equipment are not in good condition. Some of them exchange data without any encryption process. Hackers detect defects in software and applications in a short amount of time. Since only some IoT devices support patching capabilities, the consumer who purchased the vulnerable product is always exposed to cyber threats. . Hackers are now more focused on active IoT ecosystem equipment, such as CCTV cameras, routers, and webcams, because these devices are easily hacked and allow hackers to create networks of bots. In addition, software vulnerabilities have made other intelligent devices such as refrigerators, dishwashers, speakers, televisions, lamps, and smart gas meters available to hackers. “Our researchers have identified one hundred thousand webcams that could be hacked,” said McAfee, a security firm. Hackers are now more focused on active IoT ecosystem equipment, such as CCTV cameras, routers, and webcams, because these devices are easily hacked and allow hackers to create networks of bots. In addition, software vulnerabilities have made other intelligent devices such as refrigerators, dishwashers, speakers, televisions, lamps, and smart gas meters available to hackers. “Our researchers have identified one hundred thousand webcams that could be hacked,” said McAfee, a security firm. Hackers are now more focused on active IoT ecosystem equipment, such as CCTV cameras, routers, and webcams, because these devices are easily hacked and allow hackers to create networks of bots. In addition, software vulnerabilities have made other intelligent devices such as refrigerators, dishwashers, speakers, televisions, lamps, and smart gas meters available to hackers. “Our researchers have identified one hundred thousand webcams that could be hacked,” said McAfee, a security firm.

“In addition, some smartwatches designed specifically for children are infected with certain security vulnerabilities that allow hackers to track people’s whereabouts, eavesdrop on their conversations or talk to them.” The security challenges of the IoT ecosystem have become so serious that some countries, such as the United Kingdom, have decided to issue specific guidelines to improve the security of IoT equipment that companies produce for consumers. This guide states that IoT equipment must have a unique password. Companies should prepare a mechanism for each user who manages to identify a vulnerability to report it to the company. Companies must clearly state how long they will support products and provide security updates for products. Although these are initial steps, they are still a good starting point for securing IoT equipment. Because the cost of manufacturing IoT equipment is not high and companies offer a wide range of products, supporting these products and solving their software problems is difficult. The problem is exacerbated when companies decide to connect industrial machines to the Things ecosystem, which is more likely to be vulnerable to hackers. Industrial espionage or malicious attacks on critical infrastructure are potential threats to the Internet of Things. That’s why businesses need to use airspace networks and data encryption protocols to ensure that IoT sensors and equipment are completely secure. Because the cost of manufacturing IoT equipment is not high and companies offer a wide range of products, supporting these products and solving their software problems is difficult. The problem is exacerbated when companies decide to connect industrial machines to the Things ecosystem, which is more likely to be vulnerable to hackers. Industrial espionage or malicious attacks on critical infrastructure are potential threats to the Internet of Things. That’s why businesses need to use airspace networks and data encryption protocols to ensure that IoT sensors and equipment are completely secure. Because the cost of manufacturing IoT equipment is not high and companies offer a wide range of products, supporting these products and solving their software problems is difficult. The problem is exacerbated when companies decide to connect industrial machines to the Things ecosystem, which is more likely to be vulnerable to hackers. Industrial espionage or malicious attacks on critical infrastructure are potential threats to the Internet of Things. That’s why businesses need to use airspace networks and data encryption protocols to ensure that IoT sensors and equipment are completely secure. The problem is exacerbated when companies decide to connect industrial machines to the Things ecosystem, which is more likely to be vulnerable to hackers. Industrial espionage or malicious attacks on critical infrastructure are potential threats to the Internet of Things. That’s why businesses need to use airspace networks and data encryption protocols to ensure that IoT sensors and equipment are completely secure. The problem is exacerbated when companies decide to connect industrial machines to the Things ecosystem, which is more likely to be vulnerable to hackers. Industrial espionage or malicious attacks on critical infrastructure are potential threats to the Internet of Things. That’s why businesses need to use airspace networks and data encryption protocols to ensure that IoT sensors and equipment are completely secure.

Privacy and Internet of Things

Despite the vast amount of data generated or collected by sensors, the Internet of Things faces various privacy issues. For example, IoT equipment detects when people wake up or leave a house in a building or smart home. How do family members clean their teeth with a smart toothbrush, when they light a coffee maker, what radio channel they listen to, what food they eat, do people go home (smart bells), and what smart toys do children use? In all these cases, the privacy of the individual is at stake. Given that it is not difficult to find personal information about people today, it is, unfortunately, possible to combine IoT data with other data to get accurate people’s knowledge. A privacy breach is not limited to home users. Meetings held in rooms equipped with smart speakers and network cameras are always prone to hacking and theft of business information.

IoT devices installed in companies by default and do not use security mechanisms to secure them create a large security breach that paves the way for hackers to enter the infrastructure and steal information. 

IoT equipment is typically hacked to make backdoors. 

The IoT devices installed in companies by default and do not use security mechanisms to secure them create a large security breach that paves the way for hackers to enter the infrastructure and steal information.

Though IoT equipment is typically hacked to make backdoors.

The IoT devices installed in companies by default and do not use security mechanisms to secure them create a large security breach that paves the way for hackers to enter the infrastructure and steal information. 

Finally, IoT equipment is typically hacked to make backdoors. 

What are the important applications for the Internet of Things?

As mentioned, there are wide applications for the Internet of Things in transportation, agriculture, medicine, surveillance, energy, education, smart homes and cities, and so on. However, the IoT has proven to work well in some areas. These areas are as follows:

• People and houses: Due to the entry of various wearable products into the Iranian market and their practical applications, people prefer to use smartwatches, health trackers, and devices that provide access to real-time information. For example, today’s smartwatches offer consumers more capabilities than their predecessors, such as viewing calorie burning while exercising or showing heart rate, listening to music, and receiving calls are practical examples of these small gadgets. Currently, Iranian users can use the gadgets available in the Iranian market to make their homes smarter. Still, as we mentioned, if you are looking to implement a coherent and accurate infrastructure, you must use a comprehensive platform to do so. 

• Vehicles vehicle sensors allow vehicle owners to receive instant information about the vehicle and its surroundings. Autonomous vehicles provide the driver with comprehensive information from various sensors that interact with each other and are managed by an advanced control system. Important features that IoT has added to vehicles include turning on the car remotely, adjusting the temperature, locking and unlocking the car, locating the car, being aware of the arrival time of periodic services, requesting emergency assistance, updating new routes to the Navigation system, setting speed limits and restricted areas for the car, booking a hotel or restaurant and reporting car theft. However, if you have a vehicle that lacks smart features, you still have the chance to add smart features to your car. For example, the Pro-N-380 model car router, which is priced at around 2 million and 300 thousand tomans and is equipped with a GPS sensor, memory card port, USB and Bluetooth and has a spatial accuracy of 10 meters, has many features such as speed warning, SIM card port system. Provides a report on the distance traveled, internal GPS antenna, internal FM antenna for GSM / GPRS, storage of three necessary telephone numbers for sending SMS, and support for Persian maps for major cities in Iran. Xiaomi 70MAI MIDRIVE D05 Mini Dash car camera, which is sold at an approximate price of one million and two hundred thousand tomans, can connect to the 70Mai App and allow the driver to review videos on mobile, with a built-in G sensor and collision detection. Supports WDR and Defogging technology, and wireless technology are just two simple IoT gadgets used on ordinary vehicles. 

• Factories and manufacturing units: The Internet of Things has a wide range of applications in manufacturing industries and factories to automate duplicate tasks in each part of the entire production process. Information collected by sensors embedded in factories can use to optimize operational processes and reduce costs. A significant point to note in this regard is the IoT platform that you intend to use. Fortunately, different companies in Iran offer IoT products in the form of a single platform so that the owners of production units do not have a problem with equipment incompatibility. However, it is possible to buy and use products produced by different companies. 

** For example, smart sockets of brands such as EDUP (model EP-3703S) with an approximate price of 470 thousand Tomans, Xiaomi smart socket model (Mi Smart Plug (ZNCZ05CM) with a price of 530 thousand Tomans, Philips 9 watt smart lamp model Hue base E27 2-digit package with an approximate price of two million Tomans, Wi-Fi remote control and IP Remote 5 to 12 channels, domestic product with an approximate price of 300 to 600 thousand Tomans with the ability to connect to Android phones, smart touch panels, smart hub, smart touch key, Smart cameras, etc. allow production unit owners to save costs while closely monitoring the operating environment.

• Retail: IoT equipment can help shoppers find products in chain stores and retailers. In addition, proximity-based advertising, as a subset of retail-related processes, has recently entered the world of marketing and advertising. 

• Smart cities: Undoubtedly, an urban area that uses various sensors and smart devices to collect information allows city officials to more accurately manage resources and provide better urban services to the public while saving costs. This process involves collecting information from citizens, devices, and urban resources to monitor and manage vehicle traffic and transportation systems, power plants, municipal facilities, water supply networks, waste management, crime detection, information systems, schools, libraries, hospitals, and other social services are analyzed and processed. It is not bad to know that in 2015, Urmia, Isfahan, Tehran, Mashhad, Bushehr, and Tabriz were introduced as smart cities in Iran.

• Agriculture: Smart agriculture refers to a new way of growing, maintaining, and harvesting agricultural products and plants, which is based on automation and smartening processes. There is an important point to be made about the use of the Internet of Things in agriculture. Intelligent agriculture consists of hardware and software layers connected to optimize processes, using resources and effective use of green space and agricultural lands, and increasing agricultural water productivity. Smart agriculture can play an important role in food security and the prevention of resource loss. Intelligent farming solutions in the automation sector are being designed and implemented today in the context of the Internet of Things.

• Medicine: The Internet of Things has a wide range of applications in medicine, and these applications are described in terms of digital health and telemedicine, and telemedicine. Telemedicine refers to the process of medical care using audio and video communications. This process includes the maintenance, care, diagnosis, counseling, treatment, and transmission of medical data and educational issues. In its more comprehensive form, telemedicine refers to using technology to exchange multimedia information between physicians and patients or healthcare professionals located geographically distant from each other.

• Energy Industries: The smart grids and transmission lines that will be deployed in different cities in the future, by collecting information about electricity supply companies and consumers, ensure that electricity and gas will be used in a principled way by consumers. An approach that brings good economic savings to the people and the government. 

• Education: The Internet of Things can make a huge difference in education and make access to educational topics more purposeful and practical. Schools can use the Internet of Things to conduct smart and connected classes, task-oriented learning, intelligent education for students with disabilities, video classroom monitoring via video technology as sensors, automation of attendance monitoring, and personalized learning. (Personalized Learning) to use