IoT (Internet of Things)
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical devices — sensors, appliances, machines, and other objects — embedded with connectivity and software that lets them collect and exchange data over the internet.
Definition
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical devices — sensors, appliances, machines, and other objects — embedded with connectivity and software that lets them collect and exchange data over the internet.
Overview
IoT devices typically combine a sensor or actuator with a small processor, connectivity hardware such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular radios, and firmware that manages data collection and communication. This lets everyday objects — thermostats, industrial machinery, wearables, vehicles — report status, receive commands, or coordinate with other devices and cloud services automatically. Many IoT deployments push some processing to the device itself as an edge device rather than relying purely on the cloud, particularly when low latency or unreliable connectivity make purely cloud-based processing impractical. Hobbyist and prototyping platforms such as the Raspberry Pi and Arduino are commonly used to build and experiment with IoT projects before moving to purpose-built hardware for production. Because IoT devices are often deployed at scale, with limited built-in security and infrequent updates, they have also become a well-known target for cyberattacks, making device security and network segmentation an important part of any real-world IoT deployment.
Key Concepts
- Connects everyday physical objects to the internet or local networks
- Combines sensors or actuators with onboard processing and connectivity
- Often uses lightweight wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular
- Can operate independently or as part of larger edge and cloud architectures
- Enables remote monitoring, automation, and data collection at scale
- Frequently prototyped on platforms like Raspberry Pi and Arduino
- Requires careful security practices due to widespread and often under-secured deployments