Environment, People, and Time as Factors in the Internet of Things Technical Revolution

In many aspects, the IoT systems break the previous barriers and change the rules of the game. Software‐controlled, networked small devices enter massively into new areas, make ubiquitous communication possible, but open new security loopholes. Rapid development tools permit, even to unexperienced developers, to quickly implement solutions that do not always match the safety requirements of the application field. Massive data collection and easy Big Data processing lead to hasty conclusions. IoT concepts and projects assume mostly idealized conditions and a very static perspective. In reality, the surrounding technology is constantly evolving, physical environment is changing and may be aggressive, and people involved have finite skills and their number is limited. IoT systems pose new challenges to security and open new ethical questions. This chapter exposes such issues, and accepting that most of them have no ready solution should help to invigorate the relevant discussion.