New Research Indicates Security Drives Private Networks in Enterprise IoT Deployment

Syniverse recently announced the findings of an Omdia study, which reportedly looked into the concerns and opportunities seen by enterprises around Internet of Things (IoT) implementation. Most companies see strong business cases for adoption of IoT as part of a broader digital transformation process, the report said, according to the release. Improved efficiency and productivity, improved product/service quality, and improved customer retention and experience were reported as the respondents’ highest objectives.

The study was conducted across 200 enterprise executives in North America and Europe in several vertical industries already deploying IoT, including financial services, retail, manufacturing, health care and hospitality.

“Cleary there is strong demand to expand the use of IoT solutions in enterprises,” said Alexandra Rehak, Head of IoT Practice, Omdia. “But to realize this potential, enterprises need fully secure, easy-to-deploy and highly flexible ways to support integrating IoT into their businesses and processes. Syniverse and Omdia see a growing role for expert third-party suppliers to help businesses tap into the opportunities available through greater global IoT connectivity.”

With 50 percent of respondents identifying data, network, and device security as the biggest challenges to IoT adoption, the study, “Connected Everything: Taking the I Out of IoT,” reinforces the trend of moving move away from the public internet, as concerns such as malware and data theft and leakage increase, the company said. Indeed, when asked about how IoT security concerns are being tackled, 50 percent of respondents cited putting IoT devices on their own private networks, and 97 percent are either considering, or currently using, a private network for their IoT deployments.

The research also identified integration as a top issue, following only security concerns as the biggest challenges to IoT adoption in the enterprise:

• 44 percent stated integration with legacy IT and networks; and
• 40 percent cited integration with business processes.

Since security ranks high on the list of enterprises’ IoT concerns, providing technical solutions, consulting services and transparent approaches to IoT security will be key if enterprises are to more fully embrace IoT, the report said.

Different verticals perceive different challenges with IoT, so providers need to gear their support to these areas in a more customized way.

“The increasing adoption of IoT across enterprises is not without its challenges, however experience, network reach and technology expertise can be instrumental in addressing enterprises’ concerns,” said Bill Hurley, CMO, Syniverse. “For example, the use of private networks to avoid the inherent risks of the public internet is a viable but technically complex approach, The Syniverse IoT study with Omdia shows that companies are eager to adopt and realize the economic and productivity benefits but understand they can’t go it alone in their deployments.”