World IoT Day: keeping tabs on security, AI, and business value

IoT Day was started by the IoT Council in 2010, with the aim to brainstorm emerging Internet of Things (IoT) topics and further the discussion on IoT, not only to surface IoT/AI trends, but also for cross-border collaboration. 

"Internet of Things Day is an annual reminder that IoT is no longer a standalone innovation initiative. It has become a foundational capability for modern enterprises, underpinning everything from predictive maintenance and intelligent supply chains to energy optimisation and client experience transformation. However, many organisations are still struggling to translate IoT data into sustained business value," observed Eric Helmer, Executive VP & Global CTO, Rimini Street.

"A key challenge lies in the disconnect between IoT platforms and core enterprise systems. While sensors and connected devices generate vast amounts of real-time data, that data often remains underutilised because it is not effectively integrated into ERP, finance and operational systems where critical decisions are made. Without this integration, organisations risk creating data silos that limit visibility and slow down response times."

ERP stands for enterprise resource planning. 

"To fully capitalise on IoT, organisations need to rethink their enterprise software strategy. Rather than defaulting to costly system replacements or upgrades, leading enterprises are taking a more pragmatic approach; extending the life and value of their existing ERP and enterprise applications while enabling them to ingest and act on IoT-driven insights. This approach not only reduces IT spend but also accelerates time-to-value by avoiding large-scale disruptions and applying agentic AI on top of existing ERP systems," Helmer said.

"Looking ahead, competitive advantage will go to organisations that can operationalise IoT data at scale, embedding agentic AI directly into ERP business processes rather than treating it as a separate analytics layer. This requires not just technology investment, but also a shift in mindset to prioritise interoperability, cost efficiency and long-term sustainability over short-term transformation cycles."

"The rapid proliferation of IoT devices has introduced a new layer of complexity, and risk, into enterprise environments. From smart sensors in manufacturing to connected devices in healthcare and critical infrastructure, IoT is now deeply embedded in operational ecosystems. Security of IoT devices, however, has not kept pace with this rapid adoption," observed Takanori Nishiyama, Japan Country Manager, Keeper Security.

"Many IoT devices are deployed with weak authentication mechanisms, hardcoded credentials or limited patching capabilities, making them attractive entry points for attackers. Once compromised, these devices can be leveraged for lateral movement within an organisation’s networks, data exfiltration or disruption of critical services," Nishiyama explained.

"IoT Day should serve as a reminder that connectivity without security is a persistent liability. Organisations must bring IoT into the broader security architecture, applying the same identity-first principles used elsewhere. This includes enforcing strong credential management, eliminating shared or default passwords and implementing strict access controls around device communication.

"Ultimately, securing IoT is about visibility and accountability. Every device represents an identity that must be authenticated, authorised and monitored. Without that discipline, the cyberattack surface will continue to expand faster than organisations can defend it."

Helmer agreed with Nishiyama that there is a growing risk, noting that the rapid expansion of IoT ecosystems is "reshaping the risk landscape". "Each connected device represents a potential entry point for cyberthreats, making it essential for organisations to adopt a holistic security strategy that spans both IoT infrastructure and backend enterprise systems. Continuous support, proactive monitoring, and robust compliance frameworks are irrefutably critical to
safeguarding operations and maintaining trust," Helmer said.

The top smart manufacturing technology vendors like ABB, Siemens and Emerson are prioritising industrial AI, Knud Lasse Lueth, Founder and CEO of IoT Analytics in a blog post on April 7 with insights from IoT Analytics’ Industry 4.0 & Smart Manufacturing Market Report 2026–2030 (published March 2026). 

"The latest analysis shows that the top vendors are broadly united by a transition away from pure hardware toward software-defined, AI-infused architectures. Software-defined automation and industrial AI are key priorities for nearly all top-10 vendors in 2026 as some start to paint a vision of industrial sites moving to perception-driven, autonomous operations," Lueth said. 

"Physical AI reflects a broader shift in how manufacturers and technology vendors are thinking about AI’s role on the factory floor, moving it from data analytics toward systems that can take action in real-world environments," Lueth added. 

The global smart manufacturing market (hardware, software, and services) stood at US$175 B in 2025 and is projected to reach US$274 B by 2030, growing at 9.3% CAGR. Data management/platform, AI platform, and AI-related investments such as mobile robotics are increasingly driving market growth, Lueth said.

Recent launches include:

-  EMQ released EMQX Enterprise 6.2. Built on the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport standard (MQTT), the EMQX platform provides real-time data, device connectivity, and system coordination across IoT and AI environments. Version 6.2 adds capabilities for agent discovery, coordination, and governance across distributed systems. 

- MultiTech Systems, a provider of IoT devices and connectivity solutions, unveiled its MultiTech Niagara Driver, a software integration layer within the Tridium Niagara Framework. The driver allows users to add and manage LoRaWAN sensors within the Niagara environment, resulting in a smart building platform that accommodates both building management system (BMS) devices and IoT sensors securely. 

- SIMPL Wireless announced the availability of its Compass Dashboard, which gives IoT customers a single platform to buy SIMPL connectivity, bring their own carrier agreements, or blend both. The Compass Dashboard delivers a unified, Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) orchestration platform that lets customers activate and manage connectivity and profiles instantly.  

Explore

View the Smart Manufacturing Snapshot from IoT Analytics at https://iot-analytics.com/top-10-smart-manufacturing-technology-vendors/  

IoT forecasts are available from Transforma Insights at https://transformainsights.com/research/forecast/highlights 

Olivier Bloch, Director of Product Management, Developer Relations, Qualcomm, spoke to Marcello Majonchi, Chief Product Officer at Arduino about the future of IoT as part of Arduino Days in late March. Qualcomm owns Arduino. The two companies collaborated in early March on Hackster's first global developer contest of 2026. Watch Qualcomm's predictions about the future of IoT at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k3UjPkTkYw 

Hashtags: #IOT, #IOTDay, #IOTDAY2026