▲ The Internet of Things (IoT) is emerging as a new blue ocean.

 As science and technology develop in this modern world, the Information Technology (IT) market including high-speed Internet, and Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), is constantly evolving, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is emerging as a new blue ocean.

 IoT is the abbreviation coined for the Internet of Things and refers to technologies and services that process or exchange information between people and things, or things and things, via the Internet. It is an advanced form of the existing Internet and exchanges all kinds of information between devices, often without the direct intervention of people.

Many countries are rushing to get involved in the IoT market because it deals with many categories like agriculture, medical treatments, transportation, and daily living. Now, the IoT is no longer something envisioned for a remote future and its reach extends to many places in the world.  People need to find ways to keep pace with this rapidly developing technology.

 The IoT is already used in our daily lives. For example, Smart Key is a device that can turn your car on and off without a key, and Smart TVs recommend content by analyzing viewer preferences. As the IoT is developed, home-based IoT is also taking the center stage. People can control electronics in their homes from remote locations, using just their smartphone.

 Many overseas companies are in the business of using IoT technology. Amazon, the online commerce company, launched a Dash Button that enables users to make a purchase by simply pushing a button. It also released Prime Air, a service that delivers products to consumers within 30 minutes.   Cisco Systems, the American multinational corporation technology company, has been developing the business of Smart City construction. This business has successfully reduced the electric, water, and gas bill of users by as much as 20 per cent, while traffic congestion was reduced by as much as 15 percent through the introduction of smart street lamps and a smart traffic control system. Smart lamps are automatically controlled according to time and place, and the smart traffic system improved the flow of vehicles by collecting traffic information. The IoT is expected to bring about added conveniences for users, and resolve many social problems, bringing with it economic profit.

 To know more about IoT, The Dankook Herald (DKH) interviewed Kim Beom-jae, Vice President of SAP software corporation.  SAP stands for System Analysis and Program Development, a corporation that launched a cloud service designed for IoT. The DKH asked Mr. Kim about his impressions of the IoT is and its growth potential.

Q. Can you explain the IoT in simple words for our readers?

A. The IoT is not something that suddenly popped up. Of course there are new things related to the technology that have evolved as time passes, but it includes things that already existed and are already a part of our lives through IoT. The Internet of Things, literally is a new service which connects things that are already important in our lives.

Q. It is known that IoT operates in a stated platform ‘organically’. So what is that ‘platform’ and are there any weaknesses from setting up the platform?

A. The definition of the platform can be divided into two different parts, technical and service perspectives.  From a technical perspective, the platform is something like the HANA Platform that SAP offers and it helps provide stabilized services to customers. From a service perspective, the network platform is based on data and it allows us to implement a new business service model.

Unlike other businesses, there are not many limits to the IoT industry, so it is not contained by traditional limits, like time or distance. But to be a market dominating service, service providers need to develop trust in data collection and users must be made to feel more secure. Therefore, the industry is investing a lot of effort into providing better services.

Q. Recently technologies, including U+ home service, which can control door locks, lights or gas, are developing over time. What is the current state of progress, and what can we expect to see in the future?

A. Through the spread of the IoT, our life is changing gradually. Industrial fields, wireless services, semiconductors, household appliances, and software companies are all trying to engraft the IoT and standardize it within their products. If many more living and working services are integrated into the IoT, people could see themselves using their personal time more efficiently.

Q. Can you give us some examples of products and services that are already commercialized in our country?

A. Well there are likely more than you expected.  Most wireless companies offer services to handle semiconductors for household appliances. Recently, research is being made into the use of IoT in providing healthcare services in places such as the Seoul National University Hospital in Bundang.

Q. The IoT is rising as a new ‘blue ocean’ for industry. To gain more global competitiveness in this field, what do we need to do?

A. Time and distance are not a concern in the IoT, so it is easy to enter global markets. Therefore, the most important thing, from the beginning of product development, is to ensure an open structure for new technologies to adhere to. Developing an open-ended technology platform and entering the market at the right time is the best way to find success in this evolving field.

 IoT makes people live their life more convenience. However, it has a problem in security. What this means is that too developed technology can intrude on people’s private lives and personal information can be leaked. In reality, Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) said that the number of report, concerning weak point of IoT, is 119 for the first half of the year. The development of technology is important, but the development should be based on safe. The DKH asked the security of IoT. Mr. Kim said that various research and law regarding security is on the way. “As the market of IoT become wide, the number of channel, which can injury upon security, also increases. So more studies for safe are need, to be improved further,” he added.

 The IoT offers people a more convenient life. However, there are concerns for the personal security of people.  Without the necessary security systems out in place, this type of technology can actually intrude on the private lives of individuals and personal information can be leaked. According to the Korean Internet & Security Agency (KISA), there were 119 reports dealing with the weaknesses of the IoT in the first half of the year. The development of technology is important, however, it’s more important to ensure this development is based on safety and security. The DKH asked about methods for protecting personal information.

 The IoT is evolving quickly, and we do not know what the future of this technology will entail.  However one thing is clear, if people concentrate solely on its development, we will suffer the ill effects someday. This means establishing rules that prevent the potential harmful side effects and compensate for its defects are very important for the safety of users. With the active prevention of ill effects that impact an individual’s private security, this technology would offer more of its intended conveniences than its unintended harm. There is no doubt that the IoT will have a great impact on our lives and through it we will be able to accomplish what other technologies have been unable to do before. We need only be mindful that the dangers of an unchecked IoT exist, and address them before they take root..