Tag Archives: IoT

A data warehouse is one of the more common topics in the IT industry. The collected data is an important source of valuable information for many companies, thus increasing their competitive advantage. More and more companies use Business Intelligence (BI) systems in their work, which quickly and easily support the analytical process. BI systems are based on data warehouses and we will talk about them in today’s article.

What is a data warehouse?

A data warehouse is one of the more common topics in the IT industry. The collected data is an important source of valuable information for many companies, thus increasing their competitive advantage. More and more companies use Business Intelligence (BI) systems in their work, which quickly and easily support the analytical process. BI systems are based on data warehouses and we will talk about them in today’s article.

Characteristics

There are four main features that characterize a data warehouse. These are:

• Subject orientation – the collected data is organized around main topics such as sales, product, or customer;
• Integrity – the stored data is uniform, e.g. in terms of format, nomenclature, and coding structures. They are standardized before they reach the warehouse;
• Timeliness – the data comes from different time frames, it contains both historical and current data;
• Non-volatile – the data in the warehouse remains unchanged. The user cannot modify it, so we can be sure that we will get the same results every time.

Architecture and operation

In the architecture of a data warehouse, four basic components can be distinguished. Data sources, ETL software, the appropriate data warehouse, and analytical applications. The following graphic shows a simplified diagram of that structure.

As can be seen from the graphic above, the basis for building each data warehousing system is data. The sources of this data are dispersed – they include ERP, CRM, SCM, or Internet sources (e.g. statistical data).

The downloaded data is processed and integrated and then loaded into a proper data warehouse. This stage is called the ETL process, from the words: extract, transform and load. According to the individual stages of the process, data is first taken from available sources (extract). In the next step, the data is transformed, i.e. processed in an appropriate way (cleaning, filtering, validation, or deleting duplicate data). The last step is to load the data to the target database, i.e. the data warehouse.

As we mentioned earlier, the data collected is read-only. Users call data from the data warehouse using appropriate queries. On this account, obtaining data is presented in a more friendly form, i.e. reports, diagrams, or visualizations.

Main tasks

As the main task of a data warehouse, analytical data processing (OLAP, On-Line Analytical Processing) should be distinguished. It allows for making various types of summaries, reports, or charts presenting significant amounts of data. For example, a sales chart in the first quarter of the year, a report of products generating the highest revenue, etc.

The next task of that tool is decision support in enterprises (DSS, Decision Support System). Taking into account the huge amount of information that is in the data warehouses, they are a part of the decision support system for companies. Thanks to advanced analyses conducted with the use of these databases, it is much easier to search for dominant trends, models, or relations between various factors, which may facilitate managerial decision-making.

Another of the tasks of these specific databases is to centralize data in the company. Data from different departments/levels of the company are collected in one place. Thanks to that, everyone interested has access to them whenever he or she needs them.

Centralization is connected with another role of a data warehouse, which is archiving. Because the data collected in the warehouse comes from different periods and the warehouse is supplied with new, current data on an ongoing basis, it also becomes an archive of data and information about the company.

Summary

Data warehousing is undoubtedly a useful and functional tool that brings many benefits to companies. Implementation of this database in your company may facilitate and speed up some of the processes taking place in companies. An enormous amount of data and information is generated every day. Therefore, data warehouses are a perfect answer to store this information in one, safe place, accessible to every employee. If you want to introduce a data warehousing system to your company, check our product Data Engineering.

Bibliography

[1] https://www.oracle.com/pl/database/what-is-a-data-warehouse/

For many people, 2020 will remain a memory they are not likely to quickly forget. The coronavirus pandemic has, in a short time, caused many companies to change their previous way of operating, adapting to the prevailing conditions. The issue of employee safety has become crucial, hence many companies have decided to turn to remote working mode. There is no denying that this situation has accelerated the digital transformation process in many industries, thus contributing to the faster development of modern technologies.

As they do every year, the major analyst firms publish rankings in which they present their new technology predictions for the coming year.

Internet of Behaviours

The concept of the Internet of Behaviour (IoB) emerged some time ago, but, according current for forecasts, we are going to see significant growth in 2021 and beyond. It involves collecting data about users and linking it to specific types of behaviour. The aim is to improve the process of customer profiling and thus consciously influence their behaviour and decisions they make. IoB employs many different modern technologies – from AI to facial or speech recognition. When it comes to IoB, the safety of the collected data is definitely a moot point. On top of that there are ethical and social aspects of using this data to influence consumers.

Cybersecurity

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic lot of companies now operate in remote working mode. Therefore, the question of cyber security has now become more important than ever. Currently, this is a key element in ensuring the safe operation of the organisation. With the popularisation of remote working, cyber threats have also increased. It is, therefore, anticipated that companies will invest in strengthening their security systems to make sure that their data is protected and to prevent possible cyber-attacks.

Anywhere operations

Anywhere operations model is the biggest technology trend of 2021. It is about creating an IT environment that will give people the opportunity to work from just about anywhere by implementing business solutions based on a distributed infrastructure. This type of solution will allow employees to access the organisation’s resources regardless of where they are working and facilitate the exchange and flow of information between them. According to Gartner’s forecasts, as much as 40% of organisations will have implemented this operating model in their organisation by 2023.

AI development

The list the biggest modern technologies trends of 2021 would not be complete without artificial intelligence, the steady development of which we’re constantly experiencing. AI solutions such as forecasting, speech recognition or diagnostics are used in many different industries. Machine learning models are also increasingly popular in factories, helping to increase the efficiency of their processes. Over the next few years, we will see the continued development of artificial intelligence, and the exploitation of the potential it holds.

Total Experience

Another trend that will most likely be big this year is Total Experience (TX), which is intended to bring together the differing perspectives of customers, employees and users to improve their experience where these elements become intertwined. This approach combined with modern technology is supposed to give some companies competitive edge. As a result of the pandemic most of the interactions among the aforementioned groups happens online. This is why it is so important for their respective experiences to bring them certain kind of satisfaction, which will have an actual impact on the companies’ performance.

This year’s technology trends mainly focus on the development of solutions aimed at improving remote working and the experience of moving much of our lives to the online sphere. There is no denying that the pandemic has significantly accelerated the technological development of many companies. This rings particularly true for the micro-enterprises that have had to adapt to the prevailing conditions and have undergone a digital transformation. An important aspect among the projected trends is undeniably providing cyber security, both for organisations and individuals. BFirst.Tech seeks to adapt to the growing demand for these issues, which is why it offers a Cloud and Blockchain service that employs modern technology to create secure data environments.

References

[1] https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-10-19-gartner-identifies-the-top-strategic-technology-trends-for-2021

[2] https://mitsmr.pl/b/trendy-technologiczne-2021/PQu9q8s0G

[3]https://www.magazynprzemyslowy.pl/artykuly/7-trendow-w-it-na-2021-rok

[4] https://www.nbc.com.pl/trendy-technologiczne-w-2021%E2%80%AFroku/

The Internet of Things (IoT) is entering our lives at an increasingly rapid pace. Control of lighting or air conditioning commanded by smartphones is slowly becoming an everyday reality. Additionally, many companies more and more willingly introduce to their processes the solutions provided by IoT. According to the latest forecasts, by 2027 41 billion IoT devices will be connected to the internet. There is no doubt that IoT offers great opportunities. However, at the same time, there is no denying that it can also bring whole new threats. It is therefore worthwhile to be aware of the dangers that may be associated with the use of IoT.

Threats

Hacking attacts

An extensive network of IoT devices creates many opportunities for hacking attacks. Whereby the space that could potentially be attacked increases with the amount of IoT devices in operation. It is enough that the attacker will hack into one of these devices and gain access to the entire network and to the data that flows through. This poses a real threat to both individuals and companies.

The loss of data

The loss of data is one of the most frequently mentioned threats posed by IoT. Improper storage of sensitive data such as names, addresses, PESEL (personal identity number), or payment card numbers can expose us to the danger of being used in an undesirable way for us (e.g. taking credit, stealing money). Moreover, based on data collected by home IoT devices, the attacker can easily learn about the habits of the household, which can facilitate sophisticated scams.

Botnet attact

Another threat is the risk of the IoT device being included in the so-called botnet. The botnet is a network of infected devices that hackers can use to carry out various types of attacks. Most often a common botnet attack is a DDoS attack (Distributed Denial of Service). It consists of combining the website with multiple devices at the same time, which can lead to its temporary unavailability. Another example of how a botnet works is the use of infected devices to send spam or produce a crypto valent. All these attacks are carried out in a manner unnoticeable to the owner of the device. It is enough that we click on a link from an unknown source that may contain malware. Then we unconsciously become part of a botnet attack.

Attacts on machines

From a company’s point of view, attacks on industrial robots and machines, which are connected to the network, can be a significant threat. Taking over control of such devices can cause serious damage to companies. For example, hackers can change the production parameters of a component in such a way that they will not be caught right away, but it will make this component useless. Attackers can also cause disturbances in the operation of machines or interruptions in energy supply. These activities are a serious threat to companies, that could suffer huge financial losses as a result.

How can we protect ourselves?

It may seem that it is impossible to eliminate the dangers of using IoT technology. However, there are solutions that we can implement to increase the safety of our devices. Here are some of them:

Strong password

An important aspect in the security of IoT devices is password strength. Very often users have simple passwords, containing data that is easy to identify (e.g. names or date of birth). It often happens that the password is the same for several devices, making it easier to access them. Also, sometimes users do not change the standard password that is set by the manufacturer of the device. It is therefore important that the password is not obvious. Increasingly often, manufacturers force users to have strong passwords by setting the conditions they must meet. It is demanded to use upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. This is a very good practice that can increase security on the network.

Software update

Another way is to regularly update the software used by IoT devices. If manufacturers will detect a vulnerability in their security, they can protect users from a potential attack. They can provide them with a new version of the software that eliminates the deficiencies detected. Ideally, the device should be set for automatic system updates. Then we can be sure that the device always works on the latest software version.

Secure home network

Securing your home network is as important as setting a strong access password. In this case, it is also recommended to change the original password set by the router provider. Additionally, the home Wi-Fi network should use an encrypted connection such as WPA2-PSK.

Consumptionary restraint

Before buying a given device, it is good to consider whether we need it. There is no point in treating it more just like a cool gadget. Let’s remember that every subsequent IoT device in our environment increases the risk of a potential attack.

All the above-mentioned actions are the ones, which should be taken by users of IoT devices. However, the manufacturer of the device also takes care of its protection, such as via the encryption of network messages, which secures the interception of data during transport is on its side. The most commonly used protection is the TLS protocol (Transport Layer Security). TLS protocol helps secure the data that is transmitted over the network. In addition, the manufacturer of the device should regularly check its security features, so that it will be able to catch any gaps and eliminate them. It is also good to keep the devices secure from the beginning before automatic connection to open public networks.

In June 2019 the Cybersecurity Act was established, which aims at strengthening the cyber security of EU Member States. It regulates the basic requirements to be met by products connecting to the network, which contributes to the safety of these devices. Rapid IoT development makes more similar regulations, which will significantly contribute to maintaining global cyber security.

Summary

The advent of IoT technology has brought a huge revolution, both for individuals and for the whole of companies. Although IoT brings many benefits and facilitations, you must also be aware that it may pose a threat to the security of our data or ourselves. However, it is worth remembering that compliance with a few of our principles can make a significant contribution to the safety of your IoT equipment.

References

[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/internet-of-things-report?IR=T

[2] https://medium.com/read-write-participate/minimum-standards-for-tackling-iot-security-70f90b37f2d5

[3] https://www.cyberdb.co/iot-security-things-you-need-to-know/

[4] https://www.politykabezpieczenstwa.pl/pl/a/czym-jest-botnet

[5] https://www.cyberdefence24.pl/rewolucja-w-cyberbezpieczenstwie-ue-akt-ws-cyberbezpieczenstwa-wchodzi-w-zycie

IoT is a broad term, often defined in different ways. To get a good understanding of what the Internet of Things actually is, it’s best to break the term down into few parts.

What is referred to as a “Thing” in the Internet of Things are objects, animals and even people equipped with smart devices (sensors) to collect certain information. So that thing could be either a fridge that uses a smart module or an animal with a smart band applied to it that monitors its vital functions. Devices communicate to send and receive data. In order for them to communicate, they need a network connection, and this is referred to as the “Internet” in IoT. This connection can be made with a variety of data transmission technologies. We can mention Wi-Fi, 5G networks, Bluetooth, as well as more specialised protocols such as Zigbee, which, thanks to its low power consumption, is great for IoT devices where lifespan is of key importance, or Z-Wave often used in smart building systems.

It’s a good idea to mention here that not every IoT device needs to have direct access to the Internet. The data collected by IoT devices is then uploaded and analysed. In order to efficiently collect and analyse large data sets, as well as to ensure high system scalability, cloud technologies are often used. In this case, Internet of Things devices can send data to the cloud via an API ( (API gateway). This data is then processed by various software and analytical systems. Big Data, artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are used to process data.

IoT applications

IoT has many various applications, using household items, lighting or biometric devices, to name a few.

The figure above shows 101 terms related to the Internet of Things, divided into categories. It’s plain to see that there are many technologies associated with IoT, ranging from connectivity issues, data processing and analysis to security and IoT network architecture. We will not describe the above-mentioned technologies in this article, but we should bear in mind what an immensely extensive field IoT is and how many other technologies are involved.

The Internet of Things is developing at a very fast pace, recording high annual growth rates. According to various estimates, the IoT market will grow at a rate of 30 per cent in the next few years, and in Poland this rate could reach up to 40 per cent. By 2018, there were around 22 billion connected Internet of Things devices, and it is estimated that this number could be up to as many as 38.6 billion devices by 2025.

The Internet of Things in the future

The Internet of Things is finding its way into more and more areas of our lives. Household goods and lighting items are things we use pretty much every day. If we add some “Intelligence” to ordinary objects, it becomes easier to manage the entire ecosystem of our home or flat. As a result, we will be able to optimise the costs of equipment wear and tear and their working time. The collection of huge amounts of data, which will then be processed and analysed, is expected to bring about even better solutions in the future. In recent years, it’s often been mentioned that “Data is the gold of the 21st century.” and IoT is also used to collect this data. With IoT progressing like that, it won’t be long before smart devices are with us in the vast majority of our daily activities.

Controversy around the Internet of Things

The development of the Internet of Things will bring many changes to everyday life. The biggest problem with this is security. Because of the amount of data collected by devices, which very often have no or very low levels of security, exposes the user to breach or having no control over such data. Another issue is the dispute over who should have access to the data. Questions of morality are raised here, such as whether large corporations should be able to eavesdrop on the user on a daily basis. The companies explain their modus operandi by the fact that the data collected is a tool for the development of the offered services.

Opponents, on the other hand, see it the other way around, considering an intrusion into user privacy and uncertainty with where the collected data may end up. However, a new avenue is emerging, namely –  the use of blockchain technology to securely store data in the IoT network. By using a decentralised blockchain network, there will be no central entity with control over user data. The technology also ensures the non-repudiation of the data, meaning the certainty that the data has not been modified by anyone.

Who will benefit form the Internet of Things?

IoT is targeting different industries. Solutions are being developed for both the consumer market and the business market. The companies involved in this area will have a substantial platform to develop their solutions. The upcoming revolution will also change many areas of our lives. Also, the ordinary user will also get something out it, as he or she will have access to many solutions that will make his or her life easier. The Internet of Things presents tremendous opportunities, but there is no denying that it can also bring entirely new risks. So – in theory – the IoT will benefit everyone. You can read more about the security of IoT devices in our article.

BFirst.Tech and IoT

As a company specialising in the new technology sector, we are not exactly sleeping on the subject of IoT either. Working with Vemmio, we are developing the design of a voice assistant to manage a house or flat in a Smart Home formula. Our solution will implement a voice assistant on the central control device of the Smart Home system. Find out more about our projects here.

With biometric authentication, the first thing that gets checked is the voice that issued the command to activate the device. If the voice authentication is positive, the device is ready to operate and issue commands through which home appliances can be managed. That’s exactly the idea behind the Smart Home. This solution makes it possible to manage a flat or smaller segments of it or even an entire building.

Individual household appliances, lighting or other things are configured with a device that helps us manage our farm. This is the technical side, where the equipment has to be compatible with the management device. This puts the control centre in one place, and today operating  entire system can be managed with a smartphone is already a standard. With the voice assistant feature, the entire system can be controlled without having to physically use the app. Brewing coffee in the coffee machine, adjusting the lighting or selecting an energy-saving programme will be all possible with voice commands.

References

[1] http://www.ericsson.com/en/mobility-report/reports/november-2019?gclid=CjwKCAiAvonyBRB7EiwAadauqWaie96-SXyvRu_e7gBRgaYd8mozXvppEE_6LPCAeA3TsR6l5sQuNxoCxUwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[2] http://www.sas.com/content/dam/SAS/en_us/doc/whitepaper1/non-geek-a-to-z-guide-to-internet-of-things-108846.pdf