IoT and how it is shaping future technologies: From Trail Sensors to People counting devices, how are they being used, why, and what it means for security and productivity

Anthony M. Joy, Chief Information Officer, Cleveland Metroparks

Anthony M. Joy, Chief Information Officer, Cleveland Metroparks

What is IoT?

The internet of things (IoT) has been around for some time and the term was first used around 1999. Although this technology is most likely in a family’s home already, organizations are on the fence while others are embracing it. Internet of things allows technological components, often called sensors to communicate and exchange data with other devices or systems across a network. As with most technologies, IoT gained more traction initially in our personal lives and has been moving to business for quite some time. Consumers are already using IoT enabled thermostats, fire alarms like Nest, or IoT or “Smart” light bulbs, locks, garage door openers, and more. However, although IoT may have made our personal lives easier or more entertaining, their use in other industries can be used to serve our communities and help organizations thrive.

What are the uses of IoT?

In organizations like a government run park district, Cleveland Metroparks uses a variety of IoT sensors. In order to gauge park visitation which may also correlate with funding, trail counters are installed along pathways, bridges, and other walkways. These sensors upload data about egress/ingress, if the person is a runner, walker, or riding a bike, and other relevant data. This information gets uploaded into a portal. This data can also be shared with other agencies that border the parks to increase their knowledge of traffic patterns or other relevant information. Other IoT devices can include water sensors to alert users when a flood event may occur or is occurring, and these same can identify water run off or other related issues. Air quality sensors can provide users data on the best time to run or visit a park or other location. Another entire area of sensors can be devoted to various security protocols such as gunshot detection so authorities can be notified, proximity sensors to determine number of people in an area or to detect persons in a secured area. GPS devices can sometimes be synonymous with IoT sensors by placing them on vehicles or items that move so they can be tracked or categorized.

The networks of IoT?

 There are a wide variety of ways IoT can be delivered over a communications network. If IoT is being used inside a building or within a smaller area, WiFi or bluetooth certainly has the most efficient and easiest pathway to take. If spread out, cellular can also often be used, but data charges on a monthly basis can be costly depending on the scope and range of the particular IoT project. The use of LoRaWAN or LoRA can be the most efficient and scalable method available. These networks are low power wide area networks and are used to send small amounts of data with low bit rates so they can be transferred farther than WiFi, Bluetooth or other similar technologies. Depending on the gateway installed, this data can be sent up to 10 + miles so in the case of Cleveland Metroparks, which has over 24,000 acres in several counties, makes this network the best use to transmit IoT information. Although cellular is still being used, the costs started far exceeding the benefits so using the LoRaWAN network seems the best long-term option. Although the LoRaWAN’s network still needs gateways and equipment to transmit/receive, upon scale it appears to be the most effective solution.

" Companies should ensure they work with reputable organizations on IoT devices, and ensure they are on a regular patching schedule "

Securing IoT?

As with anything dealing with technology, even IoT must be secured. Some organizations treat IoT as a low security because the type of data may not be confidential. However, any compromises of the IoT network could still possibly get into an organizations network. If the IoT data serves customers, and if that data can be compromised/changed, it could be used nefariously against the organization and ultimately, its customers. How to secure IoT mainly depends on how it was setup. In the example of Cleveland Metroparks, it’s cellular people/bike counters are cellular enabled, but they aren’t connected to the network. The vendor who sells the counters has their own proprietary cloud product and the cellular data is transmitted to that cloud service. From the web-based cloud service, the staff can then correlate, report on, or export that data. In other instances, the IoT network can be compromised. A sensor that monitors water flow in streams was compromised and the perpetrators were utilizing the network itself to attack other IoT devices and networks. Fortunately, in this instance, the cellular data was capped, and reports were coming in about that data exceeding it’s normal usage resulting in knowledge of the compromise. Companies should ensure they work with reputable organizations on IoT devices, and ensure they are on a regular patching schedule. Even securing IoT gateways in the case of LoRaWAN can be crucial to stop attacks. Imagine in your own home, if your IoT devices such as the thermostat, lighting, or water controls were compromised or disabled. As many government agencies and utility companies rely on IoT, these are of paramount importance to protect.

How do you get started in IoT?

Depending on certain projects, getting involved in IoT can be extremely complex, but can often be started as a pilot project. If an organization wants to start they could easily utilize the LoRaWAN technology and related sensors which could prove the most streamlined solution. Besides the network and sensor technology, determine how that data will be correlated. Retrieving, correlating, and reporting that data will be critical to any long-term success. Will the data go into a cloud platform, on-premise servers, or be shared with other partners or agencies? Ensure staff has knowledge to interpret sensor data and create relevant and necessary metrics or KPI’s to ensure the projects ultimate goal. In the example of Cleveland Metroparks, it’s imperative for funding and traffic analysis to determine how many cars enter in a particular park. Retrieving data from one sensor provides little value, but since there are many entry/exit points for some of these large parks once you look at all the sensors, then data becomes relevant. How that data is categorized can show peak use times, what programs are popular, and other relevant data.

What is the future of IoT?

The future of IoT in our personal lives will only grow. An individual can wake up with an alarm, and that device may communicate to the coffee maker, once the coffee is made, it can send data to another device to start another task. This same example can be utilized with organizations. IoT is already here and being used, but when those IoT devices start talking to one another can be an enormous step forward. IoT technologies already exist in many business verticals including health care, manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and more. IoT can also be merged or shared with crowdsourcing apps which also correlate data. The future is bright within IoT and the way it is being deployed and utilized by industries is only beginnin

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