How to deliver critical and resilient IoT connectivity

By Paul Marshall, CCO, Eseye

The recently published 2024 State of IoT Adoption Report by Eseye is a comprehensive study based on industry data and expert analysis, revealing a particularly concerning trend: less than 0.5% of US and UK businesses achieve the necessary connectivity resilience for their IoT deployments, a significant decline from 1.49% in 2023.

This indicates that connectivity resilience has worsened, exacerbating the challenges faced by businesses in maintaining seamless IoT operations. Every 1% reduction in connectivity levels has a massive impact on the business case and can lead to a rise in customer dissatisfaction with the IoT product. Enterprises should aim for as close to 100% as possible. By following the right process and collaborating with the right partner, businesses can dramatically reduce the risk of catastrophic disruptions, including loss of data integrity and diminished operational efficiency.

• Healthcare IoT and the matter of life and death

Connectivity resilience must be a fundamental process to ensure any business stays operational. For example, in healthcare, uninterrupted IoT operations are critical for remote patient monitoring care. Reliable connectivity ensures that vital health data is always accessible and secure, enabling timely interventions
and enhancing patient outcomes. This is particularly critical in emergency response and chronic disease management scenarios, where real-time data can differentiate between life and death

• Decision making accuracy in manufacturing

At the same time, consistent connectivity is essential for optimising production efficiency and minimising downtime in the manufacturing sector. Reliable IoT connections directly impact productivity and profitability by ensuring that manufacturing processes run smoothly and that all real-time data is available for accurate decision-making, which reduces waste and improves quality control

• Supply chain and logistics

Dependable IoT connectivity is essential for secure data management and seamless, continuous operations across various supply chain logistics. IoT devices are often mobile in this industry, increasing their susceptibility to physical tampering and security breaches. Reliable connectivity ensures that data is transmitted securely and that daily operations remain uninterrupted. Moreover, it enables IoT devices to detect and alert when a device has been physically breached, allowing security measures to be promptly activated thus preventing damage preserving the business’s integrity and competitive advantage

The key to addressing IoT project failures

One of the most significant challenges identified in the report is the prevalence of device-level issues, which refer to technical problems or malfunctions at the device level, contributing to 58% of project failures. Devices should be engineered to withstand the rigors of operating environments while maintaining issue-free performance. Inadequate device design not only hampers connectivity but also compromises the overall reliability of IoT deployments once they are out in the field.

Security concerns have also emerged as a top priority, with 50% of organisations experiencing IoT security breaches in the past year. As businesses integrate more devices into their operations, the attack surface expands, necessitating comprehensive security protocols to protect sensitive data and maintain operational
integrity. This includes implementing advanced encryption methods, regular security audits, and real-time threat detection systems to safeguard against unauthorised access and data breaches.

Developing a highly proactive security strategy, which includes employee training and incident response plans, is also essential for mitigating significant risks and ensuring long-term resilience.

The importance of device design first and connectivity resilience

Enhancing a business's IoT infrastructure requires strategic investments across several key areas. Robust device design is essential to ensure that IoT devices are not only reliable but also secure against potential threats. Implementing comprehensive security protocols safeguards data and protects against breaches, while leveraging real-world case studies and industry best practices provides valuable insights into effective IoT deployment strategies.

Connectivity must be thoughtfully integrated from the design stage through to the proof of concept to ensure seamless and continuous operations. Poor configuration management and design can severely impact a device's functionality and energy consumption, undermining the overall effectiveness of the IoT deployment.
Businesses should collaborate with providers who understand the complexities of IoT connectivity and can offer solutions that address both connectivity and security challenges, ensuring that IoT infrastructures are secure, efficient, and capable of supporting long-term business objectives.

The future of IoT in operations

"Ensuring connectivity resilience is fundamental to the success of any IoT initiative," says Paul Marshall, CCO of Eseye. "By focusing on robust device design and comprehensive security measures, businesses can overcome the challenges currently hindering IoT adoption and fully leverage the potential of connected
technologies.

"Businesses must continue to integrate IoT into their operations, and building in resilient connectivity during the IoT device design stage becomes increasingly important if they want to achieve operational excellence and drive meaningful innovation in their industries."

This article originally appeared in the December'24 magazine issue of Electronic Specifier Design – see ES's Magazine Archives for more featured publications.