Beginner’s Guide on How to Control IoT Devices

In the contemporary world, IoT has become an integral part of modern life. From simple devices to embedded computers or complex computing applications, the Internet of Things has found its way into people’s lives, and that’s why many people want to learn how to control IoT devices. 

With 9.7 billion Internet of Things devices in 2020, this industry has come a long way and is forecast to witness a massive spike of 29 billion IoT devices in 2030 which is almost triple the number of devices in 2020. 

Considering the growth IoT has made over the decades, it’s not incorrect to say that IoT devices, as a huge network of devices, sensors, and systems, are defining the modern way of living in several ways. This technology can simplify your life and help you expand your business in many ways. However, you need to effectively manage and remotely access IoT devices in order to extract maximum benefit and constant growth.

In case you are a freshman wondering how to remotely connect IoT devices over the internet, this guide is surely going to be your savior. So, carefully follow the article till the end to learn how it’s done! 

What Does IoT Device Management Mean?

Before engaging deeply into the topic, let me give you a clear picture of IoT devices and explain to you what exactly it is. 

The term IoT stands for the Internet of Things, which was originally coined by the British technologist Kevin Ashton, who defined it as a network connecting people and objects around them. Internet of Things device management is a comprehensive process that covers’ validation, monitoring, configuration, etc. under its umbrella. This process involves validating, monitoring, configuring, equipping, and analyzing multiple Internet of Things devices from a centralized location.

These devices offer much more reliable solutions as compared to non-IoT devices.  As per the report published by Statista, the worldwide active IoT connections are projected to scale up to 30.9 billion units by 2025. However, to get maximum output, you need to know how to control IoT devices effectively. You need to have a highly secure and effective Internet of Things management system that can make IoT device remote access easy. 

Now that you have learned about the Internet of Things devices and the meaning of IoT remote connection and management, let’s quickly take a look at how to successfully remote manage IoT over the Internet in the subsequent section. 

Effective Protocols to Successfully Remote Access IoT Devices Over the Internet

The ability of Internet of Things devices to connect remotely and be accessed from any part of the globe makes it truly incredible. These devices communicate using Internet of Things protocols. Many protocols are used to link various IoT devices, some of them are as follows: –

1. Remote Desk Protocol (RDP) Connections
2. Virtual Private Network (VPN) Connections
3. Secure Shell (SSH) Connections
4. Proxy Connections

These protocols are designed and optimized for different scenarios and usage. Taking the vast array of IoT devices into consideration, it’s important to use the right protocol in the right context to get the desired results. Internet protocols need technical expertise, so in case you find them hard to operate, you can opt for a software or app that is less restrictive and easier to remotely connect to the IoT. 

To advance the discussion, let’s take a quick glance at the benefits of remote access to IoT, reasons to remotely access IoT, and complications of the remote connection in the upcoming sections.

Reasons to Properly Remote Access IoT Devices

In a short time, the popularity of these devices has skyrocketed, and as a result, they have become more commonplace in both personal and professional life. Thanks to the advancements in the arena of the Internet of Things, businesses today are no longer confined to mobile devices and computers. Here are a few reasons why you should opt for IoT remote device access: –

A well-established IoT remote access system eliminates the need to physically repair or upgrade software because you can do the same remotely from anywhere on the globe.

Though the Internet of Things applications offer uncountable benefits, one should not overlook the fact that they also come with certain risks. Improper handling can cause disruptions in these systems, which is why you need to learn to control IoT devices remotely over the Internet. 

IoT-enabled monitoring systems are very helpful in smart building optimization and implementation of industrial automation. Apart from this, it is also helpful in eliminating issues through predictive maintenance.

Internet of Things devices used in power generation plants needs regular testing and firmware updates to work proficiently. Remotely accessing IoT devices can help you save a lot of time and money, as you don’t need to physically test the devices.

Now let’s see how remotely access IoT is helping different industries to bloom in next section. 

Benefits of IoT Remote Device Access in Different Industries

You get the following benefits when you opt for a remote IoT device connection: –

IoT devices effectively monitor soil temperature, moisture levels, etc. which helps farmers yield better profits. As of 2016, around 52 million agricultural IoT sensors and devices were placed globally. As per the data released by Statista, the global market size of the Internet of Things is expected to reach almost 30 billion USD by 2023. These statistics show how crucial these sensors are for the agricultural sector.

IoT devices play multiple roles in the logistics industry, from warehousing to transportation, the supply chain division earns maximum benefit via remote connected IoT devices. In warehousing, it helps in condition monitoring and tracking air quality, internal temperature, humidity, and many more. And in transportation, IoT sensors help identify the accurate location of the vehicle and simplify fleet management. 

IoT sensors are widely used in the manufacturing sector to aid factory automation. In this industry, IoT remote device access lowers operational costs and equipment maintenance costs. 

These were the benefits of getting remote access to IoT devices. Now let’s talk about the challenges you may face while managing Internet of Things devices remotely in the coming section.

Complications Faced While Managing IoT Devices Remotely

Following are the challenges that one can encounter while managing IoT devices remotely: –

As the name suggests, the entire Internet of Things system is dependent on the Internet, due to which your IoT system can go down when your Internet server faces downtime. However, this challenge can be tackled by working with multiple internet service providers. 

Similar to other electronic devices, IoT devices also need energy to operate and physical storage space to save large amounts of digital data. It means that power cuts and insufficient storage can hamper the working of your Internet of Things devices.

The Internet of Things contains complex web platforms that cannot be handled by any random person. For effective management of such devices, you need to provide the required training to the employees or hire a web platform architect.

The Internet of Things communicates through the Cloud, which is why it is prone to viruses and cyberattacks. You can ensure data security by deploying strict user permissions and holding a specific person responsible for assigning the gateway. Besides this, an antivirus system will also help enhance data security. 

People store sensitive information like pins, passwords, and user accounts in plaintext files, which can lead to data breaches. To prevent data breaches, you need to deploy robust encryption technology and make data access hard.

These challenges can be easily overcome by following some precautions. The tips mentioned in the next section can help you minimize the complications and swiftly manage IoT remote device access. 

5 Tips to Effectively Manage Your IoT Devices 

These tips will help you manage your IoT devices seamlessly: –

1. Get a device management platform.
2. Make sure you have high-quality internet and cloud services.
3. Routinely look for security threats on connected devices.
4. Install sensors in your device for real-time and remote monitoring.
5. Regularly perform software updates.

So, this was all about how to control IoT devices. With the advancement of Internet of Things devices, the demand for effective and efficient IoT remote monitoring is constantly on the rise. Hopefully, after reading this article, you have come to know the protocols to remote access IoT devices. In case you still have any queries related to IoT remote connect, feel free to ask them in the comment section. Moving to the end, let’s discuss some frequently asked questions. 

Frequently Asked Questions