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GRID INTELLIGENCE EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN – WHY REGULATORY AND SECURITY CONCERNS REMAIN FOR IOT W e all know that IoT devices are being adopted on an impressive scale, with some estimates as high as 34 billion connected devices by 2020. These new devices will be utilised in our homes, at our offices, by the industrial sector and by our governments – all for different uses, depending upon the design, need and technological savvy of their users. 18 However, IoT devices pose two great challenges for developers seeking to cross ‘the chasm’ of adoption of advanced technology by mainstream consumers. First, the security threats of attack are greater than for traditional computing devices (e.g. laptops, smartphones, etc) as those attacks target data while the IoT introduces the threat of cyber- physical attacks on an industrial level and consumer level. Second, these security threats Such increased concerns will place greater pressure upon fractured regulators to act to protect users of such devices. compound already valid and growing privacy concerns around IoT devices. Such increased concerns will place greater pressure upon fractured regulators to act to protect users of such devices. Security threats Some of the security challenges of the IoT are already here, such as the recent spate of DDoS botnet attacks relying upon IoT devices or attacks upon industrial equipment controlled by IoT devices. How long until attackers begin to direct similar attacks upon the home appliances plugged into smart plugs or controlled by smart thermostats? And, of course, the potential for taking and directing control of IoT devices remains omnipresent. METERING INTERNATIONAL ISSUE – 1 | 2017