Smart devices are electronic devices that are networked, enabling them to communicate and process data in an intelligent manner. They are powered by advanced compute including artificial intelligence and machine learning, ranging from smartphones and smart refrigerators to wearable devices and autonomous vehicles. These devices can be connected to the Internet and various wireless protocols, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, NearLink, Li-Fi, 5G, and more. In addition to interacting with each other, smart devices may also interact with people and environments, such as home automation systems, commercial real estate spaces, and medical facilities.
There are three key criteria that a device must meet to be considered “smart”: context awareness, autonomous computing, and network connectivity. For example, a smart refrigerator may have a built-in camera to monitor its contents, and a smart speaker can communicate with other appliances to adjust the lighting or temperature of a room. Smart cars have a computer vision system to recognize objects, and they can communicate with each other and send information back to a server, which is why they’re considered smart.
While smart technology can improve our lives in many ways, individuals and businesses need to understand the security risks that come along with them. Using strong passwords or biometric authentication, and keeping up to date with software updates are important steps to ensure that your smart devices remain secure. In addition, it is crucial to use only trusted networks for connections and keep devices away from unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi, as these can be vulnerable to hackers.