The development of the Internet of Things is driven by technological innovation and the consumer demand for convenience and centralization of the power of individual devices. I think the concept of smart homes and other IoT systems is innovative and honestly very interesting and useful. However, I also understand the dangers that they pose to peoples’ personal privacy and even physical well-being. The arguments against IoT devices speak mostly about their lack of security and the potential danger of putting critical sensitive data online. If these devices could be more secure I think they would be valuable for future development in technology and in improving our lives as consumers.
The responsibility of securing these devices lands on the manufacturers that build them. Security should be a characteristic that is deeply integrated with the system from the time of design, not just an after thought. Security should be valued instead of brushed off for the sake of sales and profit. Not only is it the responsibility of the manufacturers, but also the responsibility of legislature. Just as we have minimum security qualifications for food, automobiles, and infrastructure, there should be minimum qualifications for software-based devices that play integral roles in every part of our lives. No longer are computers simply being used for surfing the web an social media. They are now controlling our cars, homes, and finances. As was discussed in the first article, hackers now can even have the power to control the transmission of your car while you are on the road. Therefore they should be challenged to protect consumers in the same way with legislation as has been implemented with many other industries that directly influence our safety. While many say California’s legislation for security on IoT devices is weak and ineffective, I agree with those that said it was a step in the right direction. While there have been efforts to bring these concerns to the manufacturer’s and public’s attention, little action, if any, has been actually taken to improve security, so any action is helpful. With IoT, technology is entering a field that has never been explored before and programmers are still learning about best security practices and the endless possibilities of bugs and hackers. However, it is important to establish security as a requirement so that it shapes the development of IoT as it improves and innovates. I believe that the legislature in California is setting a precedent for technology security and while needs much improvement, is setting a baseline and shows that the government is keeping their peoples’ security and well-being at the forefront of their minds. Additionally, I think the rating system suggested in the articles would be helpful in helping consumers make an educated purchase and push manufacturers to increase security measures on their devices.
I do not think a world of interconnected devices is something to fear. It makes our lives more efficient, promotes further innovation, and enables better communication in every aspect of our lives. However, I do believe that with IoT comes more responsibility that requires our attention as much as in other fields and industries.
Ethics 