Eseye has published the IoT Predictions for 2024 and Beyond (registration required) report. The fifth annual report, which is subtitled “The Rise of the Intelligent Edge”, highlights some key evolving trends for the year ahead. The thirteen-page report commences with a review of the predictions from the 2023 report before launching into three predictions for the year ahead.
Underlying these predictions is, as the subtitle infers, where edge devices are becoming more intelligent. 2024 will also see an increased focus on trust and resiliency. With intelligent connectivity software helping to ensure trust and guarantee resiliency for IoT implementations.
Nick Earle, CEO at Eseye, commented, “In 2023, we noted a control shift from the network operator to the Enterprise and the device. This will continue into 2024, where we anticipate an increased focus on the shift from the traditional data centre to the Edge. This will allow for more intelligent connectivity and for IoT to embrace ‘Connected by Design’ principles, which will increase device and Edge intelligence. This is a major leap forward for the technology and its users as data at the Edge becomes more business, mission, and life-critical.”
A look back at the 2023 predictions
In last year’s report (Registration Required), Eseye offered five predictions, most of which progressed, but not all reached the level predicted.
The five predictions were:
- MNO Propriety lock cracks: The divestment of the Vodafone and Ericsson platforms initiated a process that will continue to drive solutions towards multi-operator interoperability, which will continue in 2024.
- Interoperability between public and private networks: While this started to emerge, notably in warehousing and mining, a lack of standards and other challenges inhibited progress.
- Ascendence of Multi-RAT: Eseye customers increasingly use these solutions to solve challenges. Notably, Telli Health offers both cellular and LoRaWAN solutions for remote patient monitoring.
- Consumer/Enterprise convergence: While there are some examples, such as security systems like ADT and Nest, there is a long way to go.
- IoT starts and ends with the device: While Eseye believes that its tools, such as its SMARTconnect software and the IoT LaunchPad services program, help with successful deployments, the main challenge for organisations was device design and optimization rather than connectivity.
Looking forward to 2024
A few years ago, IoT deployments were often pilots and rarely delivered business value. Often, edge devices merely fed data back to cloud data centres, and connectivity was critical for success. Today, the connectivity issues are more or less solved. The edge devices, because they are more intelligent, can take better advantage of the intelligent connectivity and network software available. Devices are not just secure by design; they are connected by design. Each of the predictions reflects this trend towards more intelligent edge devices.
The authors note that industries such as healthcare, financial payments and the energy sector have successful deployments delivering business value. With proof points in place and the early adopters solving the challenges, others are likely to follow.
New smart connectivity software will link the Edge and the cloud
Securely connected devices that are intelligent will communicate better with intelligent cloud applications. The authors fall short of predicting an iterative loop of improvement. Will AI in the cloud update the intelligence of the device as it further analyses data received? It is a natural extrapolation.
Larry Socher, SVP of Strategy & Alliances, commented, “This connectivity software will seamlessly provide enhanced device connectivity to deliver an uninterrupted experience that maximises the device health and improves security.”
Smart Connectivity Powering Distributed Data Processing for IoT and Laying the Foundation for 5G
While eSIMs enable devices to connect via alternate networks, this prediction takes it a step further. Devices will contain communications software that enables them to initiate connectivity over alternate networks, including WiFi, 5G, satellite and legacy cellular networks. This will be important for industries such as smart cars and healthcare, where continuous connectivity is critical.
Socher added, “This year we will start to lay the foundations for challenging applications, such as augmented reality (AR) for telemedicine and remote surgery, as we unlock the power of 5G. Implementing these capabilities can only be made possible by enabling core components of the intelligence at the one common architectural component – the device.”
Smart Connectivity as the Foundation for Device-to-Cloud Security, Compliance and Trust
The authors infer that security by design is critical. As device software becomes more complex organisations will need to ensure security, data privacy, regulatory compliance and connectivity are maintained. In an era where cybercriminals are developing AI tools, this will be critically important. In the future, IoT devices and their software must be secure by design.
That security extends beyond the device to the network and the software controlling that network. A rogue IoT device cannot be allowed to compromise a network. As the authors state, “This requires a combination of full-stack security on the device, complete device-to-cloud encryption with secure routing, and blockchain or similar technologies to ensure integrity and auditability to meet the strict requirements of ISO and other regulatory frameworks.”
Earle added, “By focusing on delivering a secure experience, ‘Smart Connectivity’ will lay the foundation for device-to-cloud security compliance and preserve trust in 2024, which is critical for the future of IoT in 2024 and beyond.”
Enterprise Times: What does this mean
Eseye has produced a well-thought-out set of predictions. In its conclusion it highlights another as well. Gartner predicts that 75% of all data will be processed at the Edge by 2025. For that to happen, The Eseye 2024 predictions probably need to be realised.
In reading through the details of these predictions, one understands why Eseye made them. They have evidenced them, showing that they are a possible trend in 2024 and not something that has already happened. As with the 2023 predictions, they may not come to fruition completely. However, there is likely to be progress on all of them.
One area outside of Eseye’s control is that the edge devices themselves will be as intelligent as the predictions indicate. The risk is that organisations take shortcuts to reduce costs. This is a risk and will only be identified after a major compromise and regulatory powers bite. In the UK there are two pieces of legislation that came into force recently.
- The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022
- The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) Regulations 2023
The Eseye predictions understandably focused on the technology. However, there are other considerations, such as how the regulatory landscape will evolve in 2024. The UK’s consumer connectable product security regime will come into effect on 29 April 2024. Businesses involved in the supply chains of these products will need to be compliant from that date.
