Washington-based IoT security firm Sequitur Labs is predicting accelerated smart device innovation driven by massive IoT growth in 2021.

With up to three quarters of remote device management projects deemed not successful in 2020, IoT deployment has been limited in realising its potential. However, a wave of affordable silicon that provides an array of features and functionality, with the maturation of pre-packed software, will lead to a large increase in IoT project success in the coming year, predicts Sequitur Labs.

According to Verified Market Research, the global IoT market size was valued at $212.1bn in 2018 and is expected to witness a growth of 25.68% to reach $1.3tn by 2026.

While there are many reasons for IoT deployment struggles, the most common ones involve project complexity, lack of required skills and the inability to implement effective security. Recent improvements enable vendors to implement functionality into their products and device updates, ensuring an increase in the success of IoT projects.

Being heavily involved in the IoT security space, Sequitur Labs is predicting several advancements in 2021 that are expected to move the industry forward in several key areas. These include improved industrial IoT remote device management and control.

Covid-19 has not only forced people to work remotely, it has also accelerated the need to configure, control and manage industrial devices remotely as well. As a result, the vast majority of industrial end points are expected to support IP-based networks such as Ethernet and wifi rather than purpose-built networks such as Modbus or Profibus.

The devices can be connected to the internet, and as such will also require the ability to boot safely, update securely, enable system recovery, secure sensitive applications and data storage.

Smart device platforms from Google (Google Assistant), Amazon (Alexa) and Apple (Homekit) have emerged as the central communications point in the connected home. Each of these vendors require compliance from their ecosystem partners to join.

With the number of connected devices in the home accelerating, the need for device security will become more critical than ever in the coming year.

Medical products such as remote monitoring devices and sensors for medical equipment are accelerating in adoption. The benefits include lower medical management costs, reduction in hospital stay time and effective equipment monitoring. The risk of a corrupted or compromised device is high in this industry, and as sheer volumes of remotely monitored and controlled products increase, so do security needs.

Device authentication, secure monitoring for updates, maintenance and health diagnostics, and protection against remote attacks will drive the need for purpose-based products in this industry.

“There is huge potential in the deployment of IoT devices into industries that will improve the way people work, communicate and live,” said Philip Attfield, CEO of Sequitur Labs. “However, successful implementation will be limited if these devices cannot be used securely. The advances in securing remote devices over the past year will lead to incredible innovations in the marketplace, expected to accelerate artificial intelligence and significant technological benefits at the edge.” 

Sequitur Labs is developing technologies to improve trust in a connected world, reducing the cost and complexity to build secure embedded and IoT devices. Its products span a range of disciplines required for trusted computing, from boot through the full device lifecycle.