Everyone loves to rave about the benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT).  However, few people appreciate the demands IoT systems bring to the table. Cost management and network design are hard enough, but the bulk of IoT field devices operate at minimum power and data flow. Many were deployed in control and automation facilities decades ago and support only simple communication functions.  This creates a unique security challenge. IoT can force a designer to incorporate anywhere from hundreds to millions of endpoint devices without being able to secure them on an individual basis. There are many approaches to solving this problem.  One feasible solution is to create private networking layers to minimize risk without spending exorbitant amounts on each IoT device. Continue reading…