Challenges Facing IoT Development
Real concern was expressed by developers participating in the survey regarding the security and privacy of IoT sensors and the data they store. Integrating devices to transfer all of this sensitive data presents issues as well. Oftentimes, when building an IoT application, developers are focused primarily on its usability, but if this technology is to be used for data mining, security's role needs to be far more prevalent.
Large companies such as Cisco, along with government agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission, have turned their attention to supporting the security needs of the IoT. In fact, The Federal Trade Commission has recommended an update to HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, to ensure the sensitive medical data that is transmitted by IoT devices remains secure.
Further, developers should be aware that data privacy laws differ substantially in different areas of the world and should plan their localizations carefully. A considerable skills gap exists between the legal and development communities that must be bridged through open communication and the creation of well thought-out standards and guidelines for the storage and transmission of data.