Considering Risk in Infrastructure Internet of Things: Observations and Recommendations

Abstract

This article explores the impact of the Internet of Things (IoT)-the emerging set of embedded sensors, actuators, controllers, and communications devices-on future utilities and infrastructures from the perspective of risk, reliability, and resilience. Given the need to safeguard public infrastructure, utility managers are typically well versed in managing risk; however, the IoT presents a new and fundamentally different component with a highly uncertain risk profile. These IoT systems will be densely deployed, highly integral, and likely autonomous in operation, meaning that they could directly affect the operational reliability of a utility. While much has been written about the IoT's potential to offer benefits and possibly harm future infrastructure, this article looks at the topic from the perspective of the utilities? risk and presents a set of observations and recommendations concerning utility deployment of the IoT. I highlight why utility and infrastructure operators should carefully consider risk as they incorporate this embedded, often autonomous networked technology into their systems.