Thing is a popular word. It can be a gadget, a device, or a commodity—the Internet of Things, IoT, graphics show many interconnected gadgets and even plants.
Maybe the plant is a greenhouse? For me, it conjures up a string of blinking black boxes talking to something somewhere. That something may be a cybercriminal or a nursery business server checking on the greenhouse temperature.
It depends on the business and the security of its network. The gadgets save business costs by monitoring critical processes. However, they allow cybercriminals access to a business network if the gadgets use default passwords or don’t have required software security patches installed.
They are being used somewhere in your business right now. Do you know where, by whom, and are they secure? Your business is vulnerable if you can’t answer with certainty.
Why are these gadgets everywhere? They’re smart, connect to the Internet and business systems, quickly automate processes, and can monitor and manage them. They’re often simple to install.
Are you hurrying to print, only to discover nothing printed because the printer’s out of paper? IoT printers let the correct person know when they’re out of paper or need service. There’s no more punching in and out with the Fingerprint Timeclock, which provides real-time data and communicates with employees.
If you have a fleet of vehicles, a smart dash cam improves safety and captures accident data for each vehicle. Are you a manufacturer with equipment that needs to be up and running constantly? Gadgets can monitor your equipment so you know where and how well it’s working.
Author: Kris Keppeler is a writer who finds technology fascinating and loves humor. She writes on Medium.com. She is also an award-winning podcast producer who enjoys telling funny stories. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @KrisNarrates or on LinkedIn.
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