Introduction

Business opportunities created by the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Industrial IoT (IIoT) are among the most debated topics. These are considered important for a broad range of consumer and industrial applications. Leading market research firms already estimate that by 2020 there will be over 20 billion. Installed end-point devices worldwide which are part of IoT and IIoT.

Although the forecasted number is growing every year. It is not clear whether these figures correctly refer to deployments which can be and which cannot be considered as an IoT or IIoT.

“Predicated on IoT, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) acts as a catalyst for the revolution in Industry 4.0. At a time, when IoT significantly impacts and influences global consumer behavior, the IIoT transforms the way industries function. Although both IoT and IIoT are born of the same mother, they are destined to play disparate roles in this digitized world.” 

Difference between IoT and IIoT

IoT, Internet of Things is in Everything from cars, home appliances to shoes, and light switches that connect to the internet. Passing and receiving data and connecting the physical world to the digital world are considered a smart object.

Hmm…sounds interesting but did you know there are two categories in IoT

Other than the IoT we mentioned above. There is another similar concept called IIoT, which stands for the Industrial Internet of Things. Both of them have some similarities like the character of availability, intelligent and connected devices. The only difference between those two is their general usages. While IoT is most commonly used for consumer usage. IIoT is used for industrial purposes such as manufacturing, supply chain monitor, and management system. This illustration below will give you a clearer picture of both concepts.

Applications of IoT and IIoT

The IoT refers to applications such as checking the availability of a product in the store. Here the specific intelligence is provided through a cloud-based service offered by a service provider who manages that ecosystem. Therefore, the IoT ecosystem provides unique value to users of this service. It is useful for small-scale projects or testing a new idea but not for large scale implementations.

The IIoT refers to an industrial operation where a technology sensor is connected to a Programmable Logic Controller. That data will be processed using cloud-based (proprietary) information, and the result is an optimized operation. The IIoT ecosystem (service provider) adds extra intelligence, which a specific user can not access. It has access to multiple systems and sensors and can be controlled simultaneously and since data is cloud-based the data can be organized, stacked easily.

IoT and IIoT comparitive analysis

1.Utility-consuption vs output

IoT helps optimize consumption, personal comfort, easy use, control expenses. While IIoT aims to achieve maximum efficiency and smooth workflow in any processor unit.

2.Applications-Personal use vs productivity

IoT is used to automate day-to-day household processes, try out new things, and experiment. While IIoT is mainly used for monitoring productions and business environmental parameters.

3.Reliability-Flexible vs dormancy

In industries, IoT devices need to be fast, withstand high temperatures, volume pressure, withstand heavy-duty cycles within tolerance, and operate reliably for decades. But IoT on the other hand since IoT is only used in household purposes the flexibility is high.

4.Privacy—Advanced vs. Robust

From encrypted and agile system architectures, specialized chipsets, threat detection to authentication in management processes, IIoT solutions require a number of security measures for system management. It is very costly to maintain these IIoT systems. On the other hand, even though we don’t a lot of security in IoT devices it is more cheap and affordable compared to IIoT devices.

Conclusion

A common understanding of the IoT and IIoT speaks of the concept being the same. Having understood the difference mentioned above, we can easily deduce that both these technologies are meant to play disparate roles. The objectives can be the same for IoT and IIoT. But there’s a huge difference in their design, engineering, and in the environment in which these technologies are meant to be implemented.

IoT devices are more used in household purposes and are not completely automated. They are more on the general usage side whereas IIoT is more on the professional side. It is mostly used for high-end applications and is mostly fully automated and can work in extreme conditions.

We all hope for huge IoT/IIoT deployments in the future, as this is good for users, vendors, and also for innovation. But anyone considering to develop a new IoT/IIoT ecosystem, shall focus on the real needs and values and properly designed cloud-data based architecture.

Cyber protection for any IT and ICS architecture consists of three essential and achievable elements: the use of cyber secured technologies, strict adherence to policies, and careful user behavior achieved through awareness training. Innovative technologies, components, and architectures that will include cyber protection as part of the IoT/IIoT ecosystem at no extra cost will drive success.