Manufacturers have the agility to operate their production securely from afar with eSIM built into IoT devices. Source: Shutterstock

Manufacturers have the agility to operate their production securely from afar with eSIM built into IoT devices. Source: Shutterstock

IoT services to reap full benefits of SIM technology advancements

The real impact zone of the Internet of Things (IoT) is in business as smart devices can provide decision makers with the right data to track, manage, and assess operations.

However, IoT related data breaches are on the rise with no centralized accountability to address or manage risks associated with device identities and credentials for secure data transactions.

This is where embedded SIM (eSIM) comes into the picture.

eSIMs have the potential to become the key enabler for secure IoT services without interrupting the flow of data.

Taiwan Mobile Head of IoT and Platform Services Division Hermann Huang recently said that the SIM-based solution for IoT device security is “both straightforward and low cost”, meaning it can safeguard IoT connections while accelerating efficiency.

A study forecasts that the total global value of IoT technology will reach US$25 billion by 2025 with 9.1 billion connected devices.

So, security concerns must first be tackled to make way for more smart devices in factories, hospitals, retail, and other industries.

What SIM cards do for smartphones could be replicated for IoT devices, providing a component that has authentication data for secure connections.

As industries race ahead to integrate the technology into its operations, security must not be an afterthought. Huang and other experts believe that eSIMs or other modules must be integrated into IoT devices to make them more robust.

How IoT services can reap the full benefits of eSIM

In the future, eSIMs will help manufacturing and other industrial organizations really improve connectivity and security.

According to experts like Huang, the simple technology can secure mobile connectivity of an entire manufacturing facility that has thousands of IoT devices.

The ability for cloud-based remote administration “will not disturb the manufacturing and supply chain.”

This is especially true for offshore manufacturing facilities. So, manufacturers have the agility to operate their production securely from afar with eSIM built into IoT devices.

Though eSIM is only a security measure, it can allow always-on encryption on devices, helping businesses operate more confidently.

To sum, it is indeed exciting times for businesses with technology integration assisting in tracking inventories, managing machines, and even saving lives. With eSIMs, things might just get more secure in the future.