A recent study conducted by Juniper Research projects a surge in the number of cellular IoT devices worldwide.

According to Juniper’s findings, the current count of 3.4 billion such devices is set to skyrocket to 6.5 billion by 2028, marking a 90 percent growth in connections over the four-year period.

However, the study also highlights a critical challenge accompanying this exponential growth. It suggests that meeting the escalating demand for IoT connectivity will necessitate the implementation of innovative services capable of streamlining the management and security of IoT devices efficiently.

Juniper’s research identifies intelligent infrastructure management solutions as pivotal in addressing the anticipated surge in cellular data usage. These solutions empower IoT users to automate device configuration, enhance security protocols, and manage connectivity in real-time.

The study foresees a substantial increase in global cellular IoT data, soaring to 46 petabytes by 2028, up from 21 petabytes in the current year. This surge is expected to drive further investment in IoT automation services, including federated learning.

Federated learning: A shield against security risks

The prevailing approach to training machine learning models relies heavily on data stored in centralised locations, leaving room for exploitation by malicious entities. In response to this vulnerability, the study advocates for the adoption of federated learning models within the IoT ecosystem.

Federated learning, a subset of machine learning, employs a decentralised data approach to mitigate the risk of data fraud across IoT networks. By limiting the exposure of sensitive IoT data, federated machine learning plays a pivotal role in reducing the likelihood of data breaches.

Alex Webb, the author of the research, emphasised the critical importance of data security amid the escalating number of cellular IoT connections.

“As the number of cellular IoT connections grows, it is imperative that both platforms and operators ensure data is secure in transition and on device,” Webb commented. “A failure to do so will dissuade IoT users in industries with sensitive data from embracing a cellular IoT-based approach to connectivity.”

Juniper’s report is available for free here (registration required)

(Photo by Andy Hermawan on Unsplash)

See also: Fibocom launches 5G RedCap modules for IoT solutions

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Tags: cellular iot, cyber security, cybersecurity, federated learning, internet of things, IoT, juniper research, report, research, security, study