Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

The industrial internet of things (IIoT) is the use of smart sensors, actuators and other devices, such as radio frequency identification tags, to enhance manufacturing and industrial processes. These devices are networked together to provide data collection, exchange and analysis. Insights gained from this process aid in more efficiency and reliability. Also known as the industrial internet, IIoT is used in many industries, including manufacturing, energy management, utilities, oil and gas.

IIoT uses the power of smart machines and real-time analytics to take advantage of the data that dumb machines have produced in industrial settings for years. The driving philosophy behind IIoT is that smart machines aren't only better than humans at capturing and analyzing data in real time, but they're also better at communicating important information that can be used to drive business decisions faster and more accurately.

Connected sensors and actuators enable companies to pick up on inefficiencies and problems sooner, saving time and money while also supporting business intelligence efforts. In manufacturing specifically, IIoT has the potential to provide quality control, sustainable and green practices, supply chain traceability and overall supply chain efficiency. In an industrial setting, IIoT is key to processes such as predictive maintenance, enhanced field service, energy management and asset tracking.

What are the security considerations and challenges in adopting the IIoT?

Adoption of the IIoT can revolutionize how industries operate, but there is the challenge of having strategies in place to boost digital transformation efforts while maintaining security amid increased connectivity.

Industries and enterprises that handle operational technologies can be expected to be well-versed in such aspects as worker safety and product quality. However, given that OT is being integrated into the internet, organizations are seeing the introduction of more intelligent and automated machines at work, which in turn invites a slew of new challenges that would require understanding of the IIoT’s inner workings.

With IIoT implementations, three areas need to be focused on: availability, scalability, and security. Availability and scalability may already be second nature to industrial operations, since they could already have been established or in the business for quite some time. Security, however, is where many can stumble when integrating the IIoT into their operations. For one thing, many businesses still use legacy systems and processes. Many of these have been in operation for decades and thus remain unaltered, thereby complicating the adoption of new technologies.

Also, the proliferation of smart devices has given rise to security vulnerabilities and the concern of security accountability. IIoT adopters have the de facto responsibility of securing the setup and use of their connected devices, but device manufacturers have the obligation of protecting their consumers when they roll out their products. Manufacturers should be able to ensure the security of the users and provide preventive measures or remediation when security issues arise.

Even more, the need for cybersecurity is brought to the fore as more significant security incidents surface over the years. Hackers gaining access to connected systems do not only mean exposing the business to a major breach, but also mean potentially subjecting operations to a shutdown. To a certain extent, industries and enterprises adopting the IIoT have to plan and operate like technology companies in order to manage both physical and digital components securely.

Which industries are using IIoT?

Numerous industries use IIoT, including the following:

• The automotive industry. This industry uses industrial robots, and IIoT can help proactively maintain these systems and spot potential problems before they can disrupt production. The automotive industry also uses IIoT devices to collect data from customer systems, sending it to the company's systems. That data is then used to identify potential maintenance issues.
• The agriculture industry. Industrial sensors collect data about soil nutrients, moisture and other variables, enabling farmers to produce an optimal crop.
• The oil and gas industry. Some oil companies maintain a fleet of autonomous aircraft that use visual and thermal imaging to detect potential problems in pipelines. This information is combined with data from other types of sensors to ensure safe operations.
• Utilities. IIoT is used in electric, water and gas metering, as well as for the remote monitoring of industrial utilities equipment such as transformers.

What are the benefits of IIoT?

IIoT devices used in the manufacturing industry offer the following benefits:

• Predictive maintenance. Organizations can use real-time data generated from IIoT systems to predict when a machine needs to be serviced. That way, the necessary maintenance can be performed before a failure occurs. This can be especially beneficial on a production line, where the failure of a machine might result in a work stoppage and huge costs. By proactively addressing maintenance issues, an organization can achieve better operational efficiency.
• More efficient field service. IIoT technologies help field service technicians identify potential issues in customer equipment before they become major issues, enabling techs to fix the problems before they affect customers. These technologies also provide field service technicians with information about which parts they need to make a repair. This ensures technicians have the necessary parts with them when making a service call.
• Asset tracking. Suppliers, manufacturers and customers can use asset management systems to track the location, status and condition of products throughout the supply chain. The system sends instant alerts to stakeholders if the goods are damaged or at risk of being damaged, giving them a chance to take immediate or preventive action to remedy the situation.
• Increased customer satisfaction. When products are connected to IoT, the manufacturer can capture and analyze data about how customers use their products, enabling manufacturers and product designers to build more customer-centric product roadmaps.
• Improved facility management. Manufacturing equipment is susceptible to wear and tear, which can be exacerbated by certain conditions in a factory. Sensors can monitor vibrations, temperature and other factors that could lead to suboptimal operating conditions.