Internet of Things: Architecture and Trends

This assignment explores the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT), focusing on its architecture, protocols, and emerging trends. It examines reference architectures, case studies, and influential research papers that shed light on the design principles and future directions of IoT systems. The analysis encompasses security considerations, enabling technologies, and the impact of IoT on various industries.

Overview of Network Security
Internet of Things
Authors Name/s per 1st Affiliation (Author) Authors Name/s per 2nd Affiliation (Author)
Abstract— Abstract— Internet of things is one of
the most revolutionary concepts of information
technology where devices and objects will gain
endless connectivity. This connectivity will increase
these devices intelligence, an outcome that will
increase their application in the real world.
Keywords— IoT, RFID,
I. INTRODUCTION
Information technology encapsulates many
technological advancements that aim to increase the
efficiency and availability of information. The internet is
one such advancement which throughout the years has
become a major driving of IT system and
telecommunication in general. In all, the internet is able
to deliver resources and services based on the needs of
the users without any form of restriction, be it location or
size [1]. Now, the Internet of Things (IoT) is next in line
to promote these benefits of information availability
where it will increase the existing worldwide
connectivity as supported by the internet. In essence, this
technology (IoT) will facilitate the connectivity of all
devices and objects notwithstanding their field or
application. However, this extended connectivity does
also present many challenges most of which are related to
the security and privacy of the data being used [2].
Moreover, IoT requires an advancement of the existing
internet infrastructure which also holds many issues and
threats. This report analyses IoT as a technology where
its model, functionalities and issues are given based on its
proposed architecture.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
While the phrase Internet of Things was coined in the
late 1990s, the concepts of the technology have already
been proposed based on the existing networking
infrastructures. In fact, when one considers the birth of
the internet as we know it today, the foundational
elements of the IoT are given based on the rudimentary
functionalities of the initial systems. In the early days,
networks such as APRANET aimed to increase the
connectivity of computer system through packet
switching techniques. These techniques were desired as
they increased the transfer of information without
establishing physical connections [1].
Now fast forward to today and these foundational
elements have propelled the movement towards smart
systems, the cornerstone of IoT. In today’s world devices
such as smartwatches, smartphones and smart T.Vs
characterize the digital world. Moreover, these devices
have endless resources as they are able to connect to the
worldwide web. In essence, this connectivity is the basic
idea behind IoT where other subsidiary devices will be
connected to the web thus increase their autonomy and
intelligence. Therefore, in the future smart devices and
objects will include gadgets such as vehicles, cooking
stations and even windows [1]. Nevertheless, to meet
these requirements the existing devices and objects will
have to incorporate some new technologies as outlined
below.
IoT implementation technologies
To start with, IoT will require an endless connectivity
supported by a worldwide networking infrastructure. This
requirement will be easily satisfied by the internet which
is the biggest network known to man today spanning
billions of devices, an outcome that facilitates the
transmission of information across various digital
platforms. Furthermore, the internet and its connectivity
features will have to be supplemented by an agile
infrastructure as most IoT devices will be mobile based
on the needs of the user [3]. Now, the requirement will
be met by wireless connectivity, a technology that has
grown tremendously throughout the years to become the
most popular technology in the world.
In addition to these foundational elements of
connectivity and networks, IoT will require other
subsidiary technologies in order to support the
identification of the devices. While there are many
technologies that can support this role, RFID is

envisioned as the technology of choice. RFID (Radio
Frequency Identification) integrates the functionalities of
wireless connectivity with those of system identification.
In essence, devices are equipped with RF tags which
facilitates their tracking and hence their identification [1].
Moreover, RFID provides other additional benefits
including the ability to collaborate with the internet
through its operational protocols such IP. Now, IP is
another support technology that has grown in the past
few years in an effort to meet the demands of the users.
Today, IP is characterized by IPv6, an addressing scheme
that holds countless addresses which is a requirement for
IoT because many devices will be hosted online [4].
The IoT Model/architecture
A model or defining architecture is always important
when developing technologies because their applications
are usually not limited to any single devices or gadget.
IoT also holds similar objectives where a wide range of
devices are proposed, having different specifications and
manufacturers. To fill this gap, the model outlines a
common structure which will be used to implement the
technology [5].
Fig: IoT Model
The IoT layers:
Sensory and access layer: These layers are combined
in this discussion as they depend on each other to meet
their functionalities. The sensory layer will hold the
sensors and actuators (RFID tags) which will collect data
and control the devices. On the other hand, the access
layer will form the gateway for accessing these devices.
Therefore, through the access layer, the sensors and
actuators will be able to connect to the IoT infrastructure.
Moreover, the access layer will hold networking
technologies such as Ethernet, 6LowPAN and ZigBee in
order to support the access networks i.e. LAN and WAN
[4].
Network layer: After establishing the sensory and
access layers, these IoT segments will require a
collaborator i.e. a connector of all the existing networks.
This collaboration requirement will be the role of the
network layer which will aggregate all the network used
(LANs and WANs). Now, this layer will hold the same
principles as the existing network layers where the IP and
its defining model TCP are used. Moreover, the
embedded system of the devices including their operating
systems will also facilitate the network's integration [6].
Middleware layer: This layer can also be defined as
the management layer since it will monitor and control
the entire IoT infrastructure based on the data collected.
This layer’s roles will include; object management,
security control and information analysis [6] [4].
Application layer: The end-user resource which will
present the functionalities of the technology to the
consumers. This layer will be characterized by versatile
API (application presentation interfaces) which will
present the functionalities and data to the users. However,
these APIs will vary from one industry to another based
on the application of the IoT technology [7] [8].
III. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
IoT like any other technology holds its share of
challenges more so, in its implementation where the
existing internet infrastructure will be extended. This
system extension will also facilitate the growth of the
problems of the internet. Furthermore, IoT will require
several parties to collaborate in order to extend the
existing limitations of the internet. Again, this
collaboration is not guaranteed which is another
substantial concern [9] [10].
IoT security threats:
a. Data security and privacy – To meet its overall
objectives of maximum connectivity, IoT will require the
collaborating devices to share all the information they
hold. Moreover, it will extend the limitations of
connectivity to include other subsidiary devices
previously not considered for connection. Therefore,
simple objects such bags will connect to networks which
based on the existing security systems will make the
network vulnerable thus exposing the data available in
the networks. Furthermore, connectivity will be based on
security measures such as authentication and encryption
which requires the user confidential information. Now,
these resources may be hacked or attacked which will not
only expose the data of a single system but that of an
extensive network [9].
b. Extensive system diversification – uniformity is a
good concept of maintaining strong security features

more so, those affiliated with cyber systems. It is because
of this requirement that standards are developed to
enhance systems security. However, consider the
diversification that will be presented by IoT where
different devices having varying security features will be
used. These devices (both identical and non-identical)
will use varying security features that may conflict thus
expose the security of the entire infrastructure.
Furthermore, the heterogeneity and homogeneity of IoT
devices will escalate the existing security problems,
therefore, intensifying the issues of cybercrime [11].
c. Manufacturers and developers problems –
consider the countless security problems caused by
manufacturer’s ignorance and negligence. A good
example is the WannaCry cyber-attack caused by system
vulnerabilities as set up by the manufacturer. Similarly,
IoT devices and resources face a big threat because the
manufactures of these systems are and will be more
concerned with the financial returns and not the security
of the systems. In fact, some of the developers today
create inadequate systems to maintain a hold on the user.
In addition to this, some devices may outlive the
manufactures which will eliminate the technical support
of the devices which may be connected to the worldwide
systems. This outcome will create several vulnerabilities
throughout the IoT system [12].
SOLUTION TO THE THREAT
Although security is not a guaranteed concept in cyber
systems, most of the security problems are caused by
user negligence and ignorance. Therefore, to mitigate the
threat of data security and privacy, the IoT model must
be implemented using sufficient security standards and
policies. Now, these policies will include the
specification of the devices that will be connected to the
worldwide networks and the IoT infrastructure itself.
Furthermore, these standards will define the techniques
of protecting the data such as encryption and
authentication. In this case, these techniques may include
technologies such as End to End data encryption (E2EE)
where data will be encrypted throughout the transmission
process [11]. In addition to this, the security standards
will also include the legal obligations of both the users
and manufacturers. These laws should spell out the
minimal requirements of the devices used i.e. their
security and implementation procedures. Finally, the
same policies should outline the applicable standards of
the technology including sensitization programs for the
users who hold the greatest risks/threats.
IV. CONCLUSION
This report has critically analyzed the concepts of IoT
where its defining technologies and standards have been
given. Moreover, the report has given the general
architecture of the technology based on the existing
communication models. Furthermore, through this report,
IoT has been defined as a technological evolution and not
a new technology or concept. Therefore, the
implementation of the IoT concepts will take time as it
will require the advancement and refinement of the
existing internet connections. In addition to this, IoT is
given as a technology that will increase the benefits and
efficiencies of networking through the worldwide
connectivity it will offer. However, at the same time, IoT
will also present many challenges to the users because of
its design and its objectives of facilitating the growth of
the internet which still holds many security challenges.
Therefore, the threats of cyber-crime will grow with the
technology and so will the intrusions of other basic
networks. Nevertheless, these limitations should limit the
application of the technology as there are many security
measures that can be used to mitigate them. Now, this
report highlights good implementation procedures
(standards/policies) as a solution to the threats as they
will encapsulate all the optimal security features of a
worldwide technology.
V. REFERENCES
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