The Internet of Things (IoT) has changed how individuals and institutions collect, analyze, and utilize data to drive efficiency, productivity, and convenience. It has become a significant avenue of innovation across various sectors, from smart homes and cities to industrial automation and health care. Accompanying this development is the rise in risks associated with interconnected ecosystems. This has created an ever-increasing need for regulatory frameworks that govern their deployment and usage.
In the European Union (EU), policymakers have addressed IoT regulation through initiatives such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the EU Cybersecurity Act. The United States has followed suit, albeit at a slower pace, enhancing its cybersecurity measures and promoting responsible IoT deployment. In August 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for internet-enabled devices. This U.S. Cyber Trust Mark aims to assist consumers in making more informed decisions when purchasing smart devices.
These efforts of establishing standardized guidelines for IoT device manufacturers and service providers are especially timely, given the recent issue surrounding the supposed involvement of three million smart toothbrushes in a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack against a Swiss company. Despite later revelations debunking this story as more fiction than reality, it illustrates the urgent need for security measures in the industry.
It is also worth noting that besides regulatory compliance, another emerging focus in the IoT sector is sustainability. Electronic devices contribute to environmental degradation and electronic waste. Therefore, stakeholders are exploring ways to minimize the ecological footprint of IoT deployments. Golioth acknowledges these pain points. This innovative IoT platform, dubbed the "universal connector," that enables smooth connectivity and management of projects, devices, and teams, aims to set a new standard for responsible IoT development.
“What drives me is seeing an IoT industry that is not afraid to make the changes necessary,” says founder Jonathan Beri. “What changes? Doing the right thing goes far beyond simply making devices work. It is also about creating a secure IoT landscape that developers and end users can trust. Doing right, doing well, and doing good shouldn’t be mutually exclusive goals.”
To Golioth, doing right, doing well, and doing good, means adhering to their three core principles: security, dependability, and sustainability. Beri added that doing this should not be difficult for businesses leveraging connected sensors and would not remove their ability to reach business-critical goals. “In a sense, we want the industry to wake up. Connecting devices is difficult, but it shouldn’t have to be this way. What’s crucial for the industry is to conduct ourselves now in a way that creates the industry we want to see tomorrow.”
Safeguarding connected devices against potential threats and vulnerabilities is paramount. All too often, security considerations are an afterthought, reduced to the later stages of development. Golioth challenges this outdated practice by prioritizing the safe-keeping device data and integrity. The platform delivers end-to-end encryption, authentication protocols, and secure data transmission to guarantee that devices remain resilient against malicious attacks and unauthorized access.
Golioth’s philosophy also encompasses a commitment to dependability that is not only about operational efficiency. What it strives to do is to address the issue of device obsolescence, shifting away from the current trend where devices deteriorate with age. The innovative platform addresses this challenge through Over-the-Air (OTA) updates and device management that enable devices to receive continuous improvements throughout their lifespan, at no charge to the developer.
Device management, in particular, involves overseeing the entire lifecycle of connected devices, from provisioning and configuration to monitoring, updates, and troubleshooting. This approach ensures IoT deployment's efficient operation, security, and scalability. By maximizing the longevity and adaptability of devices, Golioth contributes not only to assisting organizations in future-proofing their investments. The company also mitigates the environmental impact of electronic waste, naturally embodying its third core principle of environmental sustainability.
“Technological innovation is interconnected with ecological stewardship, and the industry would do well to remember that and build it into every stage of their product offering and workflows,” adds Beri. "Once the pillars of security, dependability, and sustainability are firmly established, we can effectively address the broader issues like privacy and focus on strengthening overall data protection measures for end users." Essentially, the core components lay the groundwork for a more secure, resilient, and sustainable IoT landscape.
The forward-thinking company delivers excellence as it embraces a more responsible and sustainable approach to IoT development. Its holistic approach is intended to be a wake-up call for the industry. Golioth believes that taking a stand could lead the industry toward more responsible business practices. Ultimately, it seeks to foster collaboration within the industry, inviting all stakeholders to join in the journey towards a more responsible future in IoT.
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