As our world becomes increasingly connected, technology is often portrayed as a villain, sent to invade our privacy and steal our jobs; however, the real narrative of Internet of Things (IoT) is quite different.

“IoT for Good” – the application of IoT technologies to improve social, economic, and environmental issues – flips the often “doom and gloom” narrative of technology by showcasing positive, real-world applications of IoT in our daily lives.

From making our cities smarter and greener to expanding the scope and reach of healthcare in the face of adversity, connected devices are actively being deployed to make a positive global impact, which comprises the heart and soul of the “IoT for Good” movement.

By 2027, the number of households using IoT-connected devices like smart appliances and smart security cameras is expected to more than double; however, the benefits of these devices extend beyond starting your washing machine from the train. Smart devices not only add convenience to our daily lives, but they can help customers lessen their environmental footprint and save money in the process. From washing machines that track water usage, to thermostats that send automatic alerts when usage goals are exceeded, IoT is taking the guess work out of household energy consumption and enabling customers to save valuable time, money, and resources – all while making the planet a bit greener.

“IoT for Good” is also tackling your dirty work, like taking out the trash. Smart waste container management simplifies waste disposal for residents by tracking the frequency and volume of trash disposal. This information is used to enable wireless monitoring to prevent expensive overages.

Effective waste container management is essential for smart cities aiming to modernize and optimize essential services like waste management. It also facilitates wireless fleet tracking, container volume monitoring, and comprehensive management report generation for cities, towns and private businesses alike. IoT enhances waste management services, benefiting residents and city officials by improving efficiency, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness.

In this case study, the value of “IoT for Good’” is highlighted as residents use chip-enabled swipe cards to access waste bins, while sensors monitor the number of bags disposed. This enables municipalities to automatically bill residents for exceeding their allocated limit and prevents misuse of resident bins by businesses. Additionally, sensors issue alerts when containers reach full capacity, aiding officials in monitoring their waste management fleet, thus minimizing overflow and ensuring uninterrupted service. Real-time data collection, monitoring, and analysis in waste management processes not only boost efficiency and cost-effectiveness, but also promote sustainable and eco-friendly waste handling practices.

IoT also promotes health equity by diversifying the ways patients can access healthcare, which is crucial in the face of pandemics and other threats that further strain already taxed hospital systems. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) solutions, for example, empower healthcare providers to oversee patients outside of traditional clinical environments, fostering increased care accessibility, cost reduction, and decreased hospital visits. Devices like blood glucose meters, heart rate monitors, and surveillance monitors transmit data via wireless networks to clinicians, enabling hybrid healthcare environments – i.e. virtual wards. These devices utilize IoT connectivity to improve patient outcomes and extend the scope of care provided by clinical staff.

Connected Health (CH) and Telemedicine are crucial companions to RPM, helping to bridge the gap left by the pandemic, our growing aging population, and even conflicts such as the war in Ukraine – all of which are more connected than one might think.

Another case study, GrandPad is a pioneering communication tool tailored for seniors that aims to effortlessly connect them with loved ones and caregivers at the touch of a button. Such devices can also be lifesaving, instantly connecting users to EMS if the need arises. GrandPad enables seniors – as well as those living with disabilities and/or in remote locations – to receive care from the comfort of their own home, avoiding often difficult and costly hospital visits. And in regions devastated by conflict such as Ukraine, where the elderly population has been disproportionately affected, GrandPad bridges the gap by connecting senior refugees with their loved ones.

As divided as the world can often seem, there is one truth that unites us – we’re in this together. Global issues – climate change and pandemics – affect all of us. IoT-powered CH solutions like RPM and telehealth, as well as smart home and waste management solutions, serve the greater good by inching us closer to a sustainable future. IoT-driven sustainability solutions in the private, public, and business sector lay out a blueprint for a brighter tomorrow, wherein technology can be applied to tackle our greatest obstacles. The future is undoubtedly connected, and with the help of initiatives like “IoT for Good,” it can also be one to which we all look forward.

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IoT eSIM connections are expected to grow 43% annually between 2023 and 2030.
New GSMA standards for IoT eSIM are expected to accelerate the adoption of eSIM in IoT as constrained devices benefit from new standards.
China lags in eSIM adoption despite being the largest IoT market in terms of connections.

IoT connections on eSIM are expected to grow at a rapid pace of 43% annually to reach 2.2 billion by 2030, according to a recent report released by Counterpoint Research on the IoT connectivity landscape.

By 2030, almost a third of the IoT connections will be on eSIM or iSIM.

Commenting on the current state of IoT eSIM connections, Associate Director Mohit Agrawal said, “eSIM growth in IoT has lagged behind that in consumer space due to the restrictive M2M eSIM specifications. As a result, at the end of 2023, there were a little less than 200 million eSIM connections in the IoT space despite the excellent product-market fit.”

Agrawal added, “China, the world’s largest IoT market, has low single-digit eSIM penetration due to restrictive regulations around eSIM in the past and the high proportion of LPWA devices which currently do not support eSIM. The eSIM penetration in the rest of the world is much higher than in China but the large IoT base in China brings the overall global eSIM penetration to less than 10%.”

Commenting on the eSIM forecast, Senior Research Analyst Ankit Malhotra said,

“The new GSMA standards for IoT eSIM (SGD.31/32) are expected to bring the eSIM to constrained devices, which is likely to massively push the growth in eSIM and later iSIM.”

“eSIM vendors and IoT connectivity providers have multiple proof of concepts on the new IoT eSIM standards and the big push is likely to happen next year after the test specifications are released by GSMA later this year. The early adopters of eSIM in IoT have been mostly automotive customers as the enterprises have not really been able to change the connectivity provider at will.”

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Starnote will enable unparalleled affordability, accessibility, and reliability with no monthly usage fees or minimums.

Blues, a leader in IIoT technology enabling global connectivity solutions, today announced it is partnering with Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) service operator Skylo Technologies to launch Starnote—an add-on extension to its flagship product Notecard.

Starnote will enable satellite connectivity for Blues’ customers through a streamlined cost model and unparalleled developer accessibility.  

Starnote provides customers with a cost-efficient, reliable module that serves as a backup satellite connectivity option should a customer’s device go beyond the reach of cellular coverage, allowing for ongoing connectivity regardless of the device or location. The extension connects seamlessly to a customer’s already installed Notecard, providing automatic satellite fallback to devices whose primary connectivity is LTE Cat-M, LTE Cat-1, NB-IoT, GPRS, or even Wi-Fi.  

“For developers and enterprises everywhere, satellite connectivity is now a viable option. Starnote is breaking new ground by providing continuous satellite coverage with low data usage costs and no monthly usage fees or minimums. Historically, high pricing and high monthly minimums have kept satellite coverage out of consideration for low-cost, high-volume products. By partnering with Skylo, Blues will fundamentally change the landscape, setting the stage for remarkable growth,” said Ray Ozzie, Founder & CEO of Blues.

“Starnote is so affordable and easy to use that any developer can now develop fixed or mobile solutions for monitoring and remote control without worry about coverage in remote areas. By using the Notecard’s simple API, customer data will automatically transit on the best and least expensive technology available at that moment: Wi-Fi, cellular, or satellite.”  

Today’s global cellular networks are fundamentally designed for high availability ‘where the people are;’ infrastructure investments are made based on population density. This has resulted in challenges for businesses requiring cloud connectivity in remote areas, including smart agriculture, marine telematics, rail, global logistics and shipping, construction, oil and gas, and more. Until now, extremely high satellite connectivity costs have given enterprises no choice but to build and manage their own remote networks, backhauling their data using a broad mix of long-range radio technologies. 

Building upon the novel business model pioneered by Blues’ cellular Notecard product, Starnote is revolutionizing satellite IoT by making it accessible, affordable, and by eliminating monthly fees. With Starnote, customers won’t pay any satellite-related charges when a device is inactive or when it happens to be operating in an area with ample cellular coverage. This eliminates the need for businesses to invest in labor or systems to monitor when devices become active or go inactive, as has traditionally been required for cost-saving purposes. Additionally, each Starnote module is bundled with enough pre-paid data for a year or more, depending upon the application: just power it on, and it works. 

“Skylo is honored to partner with Blues to expand intuitive and affordable satellite connectivity,” said Tarun Gupta, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder at Skylo Technologies.

“By incorporating satellite data into its regular IoT devices, Blues is able to bring an unprecedented amount of innovation into the IoT ecosystem.”

Blues was attracted to partner with Skylo Technologies because of its proven ability to enable IIoT devices to connect directly over existing satellite constellations having continuous and contiguous coverage. Skylo is among the few NTN connectivity providers to operate on a “connect and send anytime” basis using Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO) constellations, in contrast to the “schedule-and-send when the satellite is overhead” approach employed by carriers utilizing sparse Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. This “send anytime” approach allows for immediate time-sensitive alerts required when monitoring critical infrastructure or the environment. 

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Single eSIM, connectivity management and invoice, with flexible data plans to maximize device uptime and drive down satellite connectivity costs.

Today, emnify, the leader in cloud-native IoT connectivity solutions, announces the general availability of the industry’s first converged cellular and satellite IoT connectivity on a single emnify IoT eSIM.

SuperNetwork SatPlus is offered as part of the emnify SuperNetwork, the leading IoT cellular connectivity service providing multi-network coverage in over 180 countries.

The SuperNetwork SatPlus package combines emnify’s IoT-dedicated cellular access with Skylo’s non-terrestrial network (NTN) satellite service, enabling IoT device manufacturers, OEMs and application and solution providers to add a new level of service enabled by seamless, satellite connectivity failover for devices outside of, or disconnected from, cellular coverage.

SuperNetwork SatPlus opens up a whole new level of IoT connectivity availability for use cases in asset tracking, fleet management, building safety and security, agriculture, and more. IoT businesses can now differentiate their product and service experience and drive their top line revenues by offering a premium level of data connectivity service: ubiquitous coverage even in the most remote areas.

How SuperNetwork SatPlus works

emnify IoT SuperNetwork SatPlus is available in selected European countries and the USA and includes 10MB of cellular connectivity combined with options for 10, 30 or 60 satellite messages per month. With SatPlus, SuperNetwork customers have the security of ubiquitous, uninterrupted IoT connectivity, with seamless switching to satellite networks as devices leave cellular coverage regions. This converged offering is designed for customers that require high availability and a failover solution to be assured that critical application data, such as a high value asset’s position, will always be transmitted.

By enabling both cellular and satellite network access from a single eSIM, single management platform, and single radio module, SatPlus uplevels customer experience and drives down hardware and connectivity costs as it reduces operational overhead associated with adding satellite connectivity.

“Businesses around the world have had to contend with interruptions in their operations and services due to limited terrestrial network infrastructure and rollouts. Bringing together satellite and cellular coverage as a network of networks fills in the blank spaces on the terrestrial coverage map and provides an additional layer of connectivity backup. emnify is excited to be the first to commercially offer this enhanced level of truly global connectivity as part of the expanding emnify IoT SuperNetwork,” said Frank Stoecker, CEO and emnify Co-Founder.

“We are excited to accelerate the availability of the industry’s first converged NTN satellite and cellular connectivity offering through our partnership with emnify,” said Tarun Gupta, CPO and Co-Founder, Skylo.

“By delivering satellite and cellular connectivity in a single service, we’re helping IoT businesses increase the reliability and reduce the complexity of IoT connectivity, with a single provider, billing plan, and hardware configuration.”

emnify partners up with leading providers of purpose-built hardware

SatPlus is compatible with market-leading, affordable, converged hardware modules from Murata and IoT chipsets from Sony Semiconductor Israel (Sony), conforming with standard form factors and suitable for a variety of device sizes and designs.

“Designed for cellular IoT applications, the ALT1250 is engineered for devices which prioritize battery life, small size, and global coverage. The 4G/5G LPWA chipset supports 2G, CAT-M, NB-IoT and NB NTN connectivity options and is built to meet the needs of IoT device manufacturers looking to provide new levels of uptime and global coverage across business-critical use cases,” said Dima Feldman, VP Product Management and Marketing at Sony Semiconductor Israel. “Our collaboration with emnify, Murata and Skylo takes our vision forward, enabling IoT devices to connect everywhere.”

Module provider Murata is offering the Type 1SC radio module evaluation board including antenna and application development kit compatible with the SuperNetwork SatPlus service.

“The Type 1SC radio module combined with the Sony ALT1250 chipset and the emnify IoT eSIM provides a compact, low cost, CAT-M & NB-IoT module for a new breed of devices that support both cellular and satellite network protocols to provide global coverage for any type of device,” said Hirokazu Nakae, General Manager, Connectivity Module Product Department at Murata.

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Semtech Corporation, a high-performance semiconductor, IoT systems, and cloud connectivity service provider, today announces the AirLink® XR60 5G Router Solution, a breakthrough in networking technology designed to offer 5G and Wi-Fi 6 performance in an ultra-compact and ultra-rugged design for highly demanding environments.

“Celebrating this release is particularly special for us at Semtech, formerly Sierra Wireless. The AirLink® XR60 isn’t just any router – it’s the next evolution in 5G technology. Rising 5G adoption is paving the way for a more diverse array of applications, underlining the need for versatile and easy-to-install solutions. Our customers, particularly those in public safety and utilities, have expressed a clear requirement for routers that aren’t just technologically advanced, but are also small, rugged and reliable under extreme conditions. The XR60 embodies our continued commitment to these sectors, ensuring that we’re not only meeting but exceeding the expectations and demands of those who rely on us the most,” explains Tom Mueller, EVP and GM of IoT System Products Group at Semtech.

Revolutionary Design Brings 5G to More Places Than Ever Before

The XR60 builds on the highly rugged AirLink Pro Series design. Its ultra-compact design facilitates a smooth transition to 5G for industrial and utility customers who won’t need to redesign existing installations. It also simplifies deployments in equipment-filled public safety vehicles.

“With its combination of ruggedness and ultra-compact size, the XR60 is a game-changer for applications both in challenging environments and where physical space is limited, including critical infrastructure, video surveillance, smart cities and public safety vehicles. This robust yet compact design is what truly sets the XR60 apart, enabling new possibilities in highly challenging edge applications,” says David Markland, Vice President of AirLink Networking Solutions at Semtech.

Advanced Technology Brings High-Performance Connectivity and Longevity

The AirLink® XR60 sets new standards in broadband performance, combining 5G, Wi-Fi 6, 5 Gbps Ethernet and USB-C support for high-speed and efficient local and wide area network data transfers. This is critical for vehicle applications that demand low latency for web-apps and high-speed performance for video streaming, for example.

But the XR60 isn’t just about performance; it also embodies Semtech’s commitment to longevity. This new-generation router — powered by AirLink® OS — combines 5G performance with modern networking features like edge computing and Cognitive Wireless, Semtech’s patented technology for intelligent hot failover and traffic steering. It also provides extensive support for both public and private 5G and LTE bands, making it an adaptable solution for various applications.

“We are excited to integrate the XR60 into our network portfolio of rugged field proven AirLink products. It will extend and protect our network investments as carriers migrate their services to 5G,” explains John Nachilly, Manager of Network Strategy and Architecture at Eversource.

Network and Security Management

Integrating critical assets into network infrastructure involves much more than simply deploying routers; it demands a comprehensive approach to network control and security. The AirLink® XR60 addresses this need by including 1 year of AirLink Complete, a holistic service package that brings together advanced remote device and security management via the AirLink Management Service (ALMS) platform, and peace of mind through 24/7 technical support and hardware warranty.

To make 5G upgrades even more seamless, Semtech is thrilled to unveil the AirLink XR60 5-Year Complete Promotion. With this program, customers that purchase and register an AirLink XR60 router in 2024 will benefit from an extension of their AirLink Complete subscription from one year to five years.

XR60 Solution Key Benefits:

High Performance: Equipped with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, 5Gbps Ethernet and USB-C technologies.
Ultra-Compact Design: Ideal for space-constrained industrial settings and vehicle applications.
Ultra-rugged Design: MIL-STD-810H grade shock and vibration resilience, extreme temperature and humidity operating range, intrinsic safety (C1D2) and power redundancy.
Future-Proofing: New-gen solution with flexible software-defined routing functions and multi-band support.
Edge Intelligence: Industry-standard container support for superior computing capabilities (beta program)
Long-term support and remote management with 5 years of AirLink Complete offered to all XR60 routers purchased and registered in 2024.

Availability

The AirLink® XR60 5G cellular router is now available commercially. It is certified on AT&T and being certified on other 5G networks globally.

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Groundbreaking new rSIM® technology offers ‘always on’ connectivity.
2 SIMs in 1 – effectively upgrades a Single SIM device to Dual SIM.
Significantly improved up-time set to revolutionise mobile connectivity for IoT devices, minimising the impact of lost connection.
Deutsche Telekom IoT and Tele2 IoT announced as first connectivity partners.
World leading SIM manufacturer secured as technology provider to lead on manufacturing and supporting SIM services.
Worldwide patents further strengthen the innovation and ambition.

A new intelligent SIM card that promises to radically improve network connectivity for IoT devices and mobile internet has been launched today in partnership with global operators Deutsche Telekom IoT and Tele2 IoT.

The rSIM® (Resilient SIM) uses new patented technology to check its own network connectivity and switch providers automatically when disruptions occur, minimising the chances of the SIM and the device becoming disconnected during outages. With two independent mobile operator profiles stored on the single SIM card, rSIM significantly reduces the risk of outages by switching to a backup mobile operator profile if an outage is detected. The SIM offers two levels of resilience, enabling seamless roaming outside of a device’s home country as well as a proactive solution for uninterrupted internet access. The intelligence is brought to life in a new Connectivity Management Platform, where customers can see real-time connection tests from every SIM no matter which mobile operator profile it is connected to.

Deutsche Telekom IoT and Tele2 IoT will act as rSIM’s first connectivity partners, providing independent operator profiles from within their group to deliver true resilience to a global audience.

rSIM will combine best in-class SIM innovation with patented technology to help mobile operators better serve customers. A global SIM technology provider will lead on the product build and manufacture, as well as providing supporting SIM systems that allow rSIMs to be updated over the air. As part of this they will prioritise GSMA compliance to optimise device and operator compatibility.

The launch of rSIM follows on from a series of notable and high-profile network outages. As Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) invest in upgrading their core networks away from 2G and 3G, to 4G and 5G, periods of unplanned downtime have become more prevalent. A recent outage in Australia left customers disconnected and, in some cases, in life-critical positions. A 12-hour network outage in November 2023 affected over 10 million individuals, resulting in a collapse in the Australian health service and shutting down entire train networks. rSIM provides a real-time solution to mitigate critical connectivity outages and the disruption associated with them.

Richard Cunliffe, Director of Product and Innovation, rSIM, says: “There were around 2 billion cellular IoT connections in 2023, growing to around 7 billion in 2033. As more industries become dependent on IoT, mobile network outages are becoming more commonplace, as more devices connect to them. This increased disruption is affecting all industries, but the biggest impact is seen in critical sectors where lives and infrastructure are at risk, for example in Telecare and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). Working with our best-in-class global partners on the development, build and rollout of rSIM, our innovative dual SIM, dual core approach will provide a solution which both monitors disruptions and reacts to them at speed.”

rSIM’s innovative approach to standards compliance ensures its adaptability alongside evolving GSMA standards. This will include the development of a version compatible with SGP.32 standards in 2025, which are integral to eSIM remote provisioning for IoT devices, particularly those with network or user interface limitations.

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More than 60 percent of the electricity customers in EU27+3 had a smart meter at the end of 2023.

The market is set for stable growth with a total of more than 88 million smart electricity meters forecasted to be deployed across the region from 2024–2028. This was among other things concluded in the latest comprehensive study of the European smart metering market from the leading IoT analyst firm Berg Insight, which has closely tracked the development on this market since the company’s founding in 2004.

At the end of 2023, the EU27+3 region was home to more than 186 million smart electricity meters. Growing at a steady CAGR north of 6.1 percent, the installed base of smart electricity meters is expected to reach a penetration rate of 78 percent by 2028, driven by second-generation rollouts in countries such as the UK, Italy, Spain and Sweden alongside first-generation projects in Germany, Poland and Greece. The smart gas metering market is also set for robust growth in the EU27+3 region where the installed base of devices is forecasted to increase from 56 million units in 2023 to around 78 million units by 2028.

The composition of smart electricity shipment volumes is anticipated to change in two important ways, indicating a focus shift away from Western European markets which have historically been at the forefront in terms of smart metering deployments.

“Firstly, first-generation electricity meter shipment volumes will account for 67 percent of total shipment volumes throughout the forecast period, as second-generation rollouts in Western Europe are by now either in their final stages or fully completed. Secondly, the share of first-generation shipment volumes to countries located in the CEE and SEE regions will increase from 50 percent in 2022 to 80 percent in 2028,” said Mattias Carlsson, IoT Analyst at Berg Insight.

In the last years, the smart metering market has also undergone a shift related to the type of communications technologies being used for data exchange with the utility’s back office. Standalone wireless connectivity options have grown considerably in popularity in the past years and will account for between 55–65 percent of annual shipment volumes throughout the forecast period.

Mr. Carlsson concluded:

“Most of the growth is attributable to 3GPP-based LPWA connectivity options, which are now available in most European markets. Annual shipments of NB-IoT and LTE-M electricity meters are forecasted to be at a level of 3.5–4.0 million per year during the forecast period.”

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Ness Digital Engineering (Ness), a global full-lifecycle digital services transformation company and a subsidiary of KKR, and Zinnov, a global management and strategy consulting firm, jointly launched a comprehensive study titled “Harnessing the Power of Generative AI (GenAI) in Transforming Software Engineering Productivity.”

While productivity is a known outcome of GenAI initiatives, this study measures the actual productivity gains resulting from deploying GenAI at an engineering level. It is uniquely framed to help CTOs, CIOs, and CPOs understand the technology and psychological drivers of engineering productivity and the long-term ramifications on both business and organizational design.

Utilizing Ness’s proprietary platform Matrix to collect data, the study engaged 100+ software engineers across use cases and development settings and in-depth analysis of engineers’ real-world experiences in live engineering environments.

The study revealed that Generative AI implementation not only increases productivity but also allows for deeply assisted context, enabling companies to globalize work frictionlessly. The implication of this is not just better business outcomes but an entirely transformed organizational design. Other key observations that emerged were:

70% Reduction in Task Completion Time for Existing Code Updates: Engineers witnessed maximum impact when utilizing existing codebase functions, leading to reduced development cycle time.
48% Reduction in Task Completion Time for Senior Engineers: Senior engineers witnessed reduced task completion time and found themselves using their time to plan better and assist junior engineers.
~10% Reduction in High Code Complexity Tasks: Generative AI enables engineers to navigate complex coding scenarios with increased efficiency, contributing to faster and more accurate resolutions.
70% Improved Engagement: By simplifying tasks and fostering a more collaborative and dynamic work environment, Generative AI plays a pivotal role in creating a positive and fulfilling professional experience.

This shift challenges traditional organizational structures by focusing more on expertise and efficiencies that will be assisted by technology but controlled and decided by people. This will mean a new kind of workforce – where domain expertise and problem-solving capabilities will preside over technology skills.

Ranjit Tinaikar, CEO, Ness Digital Engineering, said, “GenAI stands poised to transform the software development landscape by offering substantial productivity enhancements and expediting innovation cycles, ultimately accelerating time to market. However, its potential could be hindered if narrowly perceived as a mere code generation tool, a misconception prevalent in the software development realm. To fully harness the power of GenAI, we collaborated with Zinnov to understand the impact of GenAI on software development and its nuances. The study serves as a guide on the impact of GenAI on product development process, organization structures, employee engagement, learning, and development.”

Speaking about the study, Pari Natarajan, CEO, Zinnov, said, “Generative AI is now integrated into software engineering workflows across many organizations, aiding in tasks like generating test cases, refactoring code, and identifying innovation opportunities. This study validates the belief that Generative AI complements rather than dictates workflows, facilitating frictionless knowledge sharing and unlocking the true value of globalization. This has led to increased confidence among CTOs and CIOs in distributing development teams globally, with minimal impact on productivity. Additionally, the widespread use of Generative AI has boosted employee morale, surpassing productivity gains. While the potential of Generative AI is vast, limitations primarily stem from hardware costs, energy consumption, and regulatory constraints.”

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Asimily’s “IoT Device Security in 2024: The High Cost of Doing Nothing” report identifies today’s IoT threat landscape as enterprises across industries implement and scale connected devices

Asimily, a leading Internet of Things (IoT) risk management platform, today announced the availability of a new report: IoT Device Security in 2024: The High Cost of Doing Nothing.

The comprehensive report—available for free download here—highlights emerging IoT device security trends and challenges.

Enterprises continue to embrace IoT strategies to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and improve customer experiences. From hospitals to manufacturers to public sector agencies, IoT device fleets are critical for meeting these modernization goals. However, the acceleration in connected device deployment opens new windows for cybercriminals and exposes networks to potential breaches. This report addresses the growing challenge of securing IoT devices and explores the consequences for businesses neglecting sufficient cyber resilience. It also provides valuable guidance for implementing a comprehensive approach to mitigating IoT-related cyberattack risks.

Among the key findings and analysis included in the new report:

Breach tactics continue evolving: Cybercriminals seeking confidential proprietary data to sell for financial gain look for and infiltrate vulnerable and often-unsecured IoT devices to establish initial access to an enterprise’s network. That tactic supports ransomware attacks as well, with criminals gaining access via IoT endpoints, encrypting data, and extorting ransoms. In other cases, nation-state-sponsored groups are motivated to shut down or disrupt the services of their targets. A common tactic is harvesting vast fleets of vulnerable IoT devices to create botnets and utilize them to conduct DDoS attacks. Attackers also know they can rely on unresolved legacy vulnerabilities, as 34 of the 39 most-used IoT exploits have been present in devices for at least three years.

Routers are the most targeted IoT devices, accounting for 75% of all IoT infections. Hackers exploit routers as a stepping stone to access other connected devices within a network. Security cameras and IP cameras are the second most targeted devices, making up 15% of all attacks. Other commonly targeted devices include digital signage, media players, digital video recorders, printers, and smart lighting. The report also highlights the especially consequential risks associated with specialized industry equipment—including devices critical to patient care in healthcare (including blood glucose monitors and pacemakers), real-time monitoring devices in manufacturing, and water quality sensors in municipalities.

Cyber insurers are capping payouts. Cybersecurity insurance is becoming more expensive and difficult to obtain as cyberattacks become more common. More insurers are now requiring businesses to have strong IoT security and risk management in place to qualify for coverage—and increasingly denying or capping coverage for those that do not meet certain thresholds. Among the reasons why cyber insurers deny coverage, a lack of security protocols is the most common, at 43%. Not following compliance procedures accounts for 33% of coverage denials. Even if insured, though, reputational damage remains a risk: 80% of a business’s customers will defect if they do not believe their data is secure.

Manufacturing is now the top target: Cybercriminals are increasingly focusing their attention on the manufacturing, finance, and energy industries. Retail, education, healthcare, and government organizations remain popular targets, while media and transportation have been de-emphasized over the past couple of years.

“Vulnerable IoT devices continue to be a glaring cybersecurity weak spot for many, many enterprises,” said Kenan Frager, VP of Marketing, Asimily. “In the rush to absorb all of the business benefits these devices deliver, sufficient security—and the impact that security has on the broader network—is too often left unchecked.”

“Regardless of industry, an attack on IoT infrastructure can and will result in operational downtime, loss of IP, loss of revenue, and reputational harm. Regulatory compliance adds another layer of pressure, with steep fines and sanctions looming for breaches that affect HIPAA, PCI DSS, NIST, SOC 2, and other increasingly stringent mandates.”

“There’s a clear and urgent need for more businesses to prioritize a more thorough risk management strategy capable of handling the unique challenges of the IoT,” said Shankar Somasundaram, CEO, Asimily.

“While organizations often struggle with the sheer volume of vulnerabilities in their IoT device fleets, crafting effective risk KPIs and deploying tools to gain visibility into device behavior empowers them to prioritize and apply targeted fixes. This approach, coupled with a deeper understanding of attacker behavior, enables teams to distinguish between immediate threats, manageable risks, and non-existent dangers. The right strategy equips organizations to focus efforts where they matter most, maximizing their resources while ensuring the security of their IoT ecosystem at scale.”

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