IT is bracing -- but not preparing -- for the Internet of things

Although 71 percent of IT professionals queried in a recent survey believe the so-called Internet of things will affect both users and the workplace, 59 percent said they were not doing anything specific to prepare for it. As usual for new technology, security is a huge concern, at 86 percent. In fact, 43 percent plan to isolate new Internet-enabled things to a separate network, and only 23 percent plan to allow them onto the corporate network. Network management vendor SpiceWorks surveyed 440 IT pros in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa about IoT. IoT involves potentially billions of network-connected devices, tools, medical equipment, and appliances. More devices connected to the Internet means more data generation and greater demands for bandwidth and IP addresses. Thus, SpiceWorks concluded that IT is preparing for IoT more than it may realize as it addresses individual projects.