Businesses all around are continually struggling to balance the benefits of new technologies with the risk they bring in turns of sophisticated data breaches. It is a daunting task to keep everything smart. Most businesses would not think twice before implementing IIoT in their business. But, it should be noted that you can reap its full potential if you don’t have a smarter control mechanism in place. Before you go for any critical infrastructural upgrade, keep these things in mind.
Security – The Major Concern
Critical IT infrastructure is at higher risk of cyber attack than a typical IT network. This is the reason why most OT teams are so cautious while handling such technology. But it is also true that a business can not run on a closed network for long. By implementing IIoT, you can be assured of added security. But even this is proving very ineffective in providing the full proof security of system and data. Do not go for any IIoT trend until you have a valid security plan in place.
Maintaining Visibility of Your “Things”
Before the age of Industrial Ethernet, IT professionals didn’t have to bother about IP addresses. But it is not the case now.
While it is already hard enough to manage the visibility of a single sector of operation, the IIoT will add more the challenge as your business go global. With internet connectivity, 100% availability of business is nearly impossible now. Despite your network not going down, you might still go offline for system maintenance.
In business, never assume you will not experience intermittent outages. While you implement IIoT technology, ensure your IT consultancy in Virginia is using the proper cables.
Blending Legacy and IIoT Infrastructure
With private network and legal protocol in place, OT infrastructure now has the opportunity to focus more on optimizing the operations while shifting the concern from security. But IIoT is changing things.
Modernizing the entire business’s IT infrastructure will not prove to be a feasible choice. You will eventually end up mixing infrastructure with some IIoT. To avoid this, assess your infrastructure before adding any smart technology in your working.
Welcome to the Edge of the Network
An IT support consultant is aware of the advantage of the internet network. The Internet is opening more of your business to the outside which means you have a much more critical task to look after.
With Industrial Ethernet and IIoT technology coming into play, the traditional OT network used by your business will also move to the edge. The new source of data will be cloud which can significantly bridge the gap between your IT network and business network.
Data Storage is a New Concern
Physical data storage is experiencing a decline with the advancement of technology. In the past, businesses practiced the approach of analyzing data and discarding it once after use. With the industrial Internet of Things, businesses now can store as much data they want. It is resulting in the accumulation of data that is not relevant to other aspects of the company.