Internet of Things

Not only people are online, things too. Think of machines, jewelry, cars, the thermostat and the refrigerator. Together they form a large 'internet of things', or the internet of things .This offers endless possibilities. But it also makes our personal living environment susceptible to online burglaries and privacy violations. What information do you actually share and who does it end up with? And how much of our daily lives do we want to leave to technology?

As humanity we will have to become more human, as our environment becomes more technological - Erno Mijland

What can we do with the internet of things?

The internet of things makes our environment smarter and more measurable. Many products that are connected to the internet are therefore called 'smart'. At home you can listen to music more easily with smart speakers and with a smart thermostat you measure exactly how much energy you use. In the office, for example, you have printers and security cameras that are connected to the internet.Almost any physical object can be connected to the internet, from a pill to a truck. The internet of things is being used on a larger scale to improve production processes and to provide solutions around energy and the environment, crime, healthcare and education. This often uses big data , which is collected via the internet of things.

What are the risks of the internet of things?

The loss of privacy is seen as a major drawback to the Internet of Things. Smart devices in your area collect data that can say a lot about you. It is important to be aware of where this data (may) end up. Does the manufacturer explain what he does with your stored data? For example, does he want to be able to sell your data to other parties?Many smart devices do not yet have a secure connection . That makes our personal living environment sensitive to online burglaries. In early 2018, the Cyber ​​Security Council advised the cabinet to make rules to make devices safer and to ban unsafe devices. It is hardly visible to the consumer whether a device is safe or not.Another risk of the internet of things is an excessive reliance on technology. When cities and households depend on smart technology for their functioning, they become vulnerable to failures and hacking attacks that shut down the systems.

Smart cities

Smart cities, also known as 'smart cities', use the Internet of Things to make public services as efficient and pleasant as possible. Smart use of new technology and big data , for example about infrastructure, hospitals, waste, supervision and schools, offers opportunities to design cities more efficiently and sustainably. Citizens also have more influence on their living environment.Many cities in the the world are increasingly developing as smart cities. For example, solar-controlled charging stations for electric cars have been installed in Utrecht and Rotterdam has placed sensors in waste containers to see exactly when they must be emptied.There are also risks to smart cities. A lot of privacy-sensitive information is collected, making the smart city prone to hacking attacks. There is also the risk of technology companies gaining too much influence. Another downside of a smart city is that there is a lot of dependence on technology (companies).

Smart homes

Smart homes are houses in which all kinds of devices are connected to the internet. Residents can log in to their security system remotely, adjust the temperature and switch on the washing machine.More and more households are using smart home products. Already three out of ten households have one or more smart devices.

Internet of Toys

A striking development is the arrival of toys that are connected to the internet: connected toys . Think of a (Barbie) doll with which you can have a conversation, a teddy bear that remembers your birthday and favorite color and a robot that tells jokes. But there are also dangers: for the time being, these toys appear to be very sensitive to hacks, privacy leaks and DDoS attacks. Parents will find tips in this checklist with 10 points for attention in the field of safety and playability.