The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to gain steam in Japan, Korea, and the U.S. aswearable and mobile device usage grows every day. As a result of the benefits of smart home products, which include increased efficiency, cost savings, and even saving lives, the technology looks to explode over the next few years. In fact, according to research from Intel Corp., the IoT market is expected to grow from 2 billion objects in 2006 to 200 billion by 2020.

Thats a lot of gadgets expected to hit the market, and even in 2014 we got a glimpse of how popular IoT has become. Kickstarter, Inc.and Indiegogo, Inc. put out dozens of IoT-related projects daily, supporting a startup community of crowd-funded business opportunities. Traditional technology providers are also making the shift to IoT services, with smart home security offerings from AT&T, remote control appliance management from Samsung and a dedicated storefront for smart home gadgets at top retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

As weve seen with the smartphone market, gadget trends are fleeting as manufacturers fight to differentiate their products in a consumer-driven market. We can expect that IoT devices will face the same plight - just over the past two years weve seen dozens oftypes of object trackers launched, including 8.3 million wearable trackersbought by consumers in 2012 alone, and over 97,000 applications for monitoring health were recorded in 2013.

How can an IoT business devise a plan to factor fickle consumer trends while also curbing competition from industry stalwarts that can bundle services to existing customers, as well as disruptive startups crafting breakthrough products?

Today we hear from a handful of executives facing the challenges of excelling in the rapidly evolving world of IoT.Products like AOptix Technologies, Inc.s wireless fiber is literally laying the groundwork to support an IoT industry far into the future.And retailer Staples Inc. has made future-proofing a selling point with its Staples Connect platform powered by Zonoff Inc. software. Hewlett-Packard Co. sees new opportunity in providing the backend for businesses looking to prepare for future consumer demand, offering Unified Information Access technology that integrates the old and the new instantiations of machine-to-machine communications required for a profitable IoT market.

Kevin Meagher, VP and GM, Lowes Companies, Inc. Smart Home Division

We are working to make sure our retail strategy is future proof by providing an open platform that will scale to meet our customers needs over time. Lowes Companies, Inc. was the first to target the mass consumer market with a broad home automation solution, Iris, which makes smart homes easily accessible and affordable. We took technology that is perceived as expensive and difficult to install and made it available and easy-to-use by creating simple Do-it-Yourself (DIY) kits at affordable price points.

Getting new technology to work with old is a challenge. For example, some homes have the old type security systems with wired sensors that have limited functionality. We can connect these to Iris, but its old technology that would need a professional to rewire. An Iris Safe and Secure system has so much more functionality; its simple to install, and at $179 for a complete kit, it is cheaper than trying to rework the old security systems.

In the future, everything in the home will be connected to the Internet. Common home improvement products will offer connectivity to better provide consumers with safety, convenience, and overall peace of mind. Smart devices in-store today, such as door locks, thermostats, and even garage door openers, work and operate like traditional components of home improvement, but they bring the consumer-added functionality and ease to make managing their home simpler and more affordable. They give consumers the ability to remotely monitor and control their home so they have greater peace of mind.

Read more:
The future-proof smart home: How Lowes, Vivint and iControl build business for tomorrow

Documents leaked online include the personal information, salaries, and home addresses for employees and freelancers who worked at the studio, a data security analyst finds.

Much of the data leaked from Sony hack was stored in Microsoft Excel files without password protection.

The security breach suffered by Sony Pictures Entertainment last month appears to have leaked far more personal information than previously believed, revealing the Social Security numbers of more than 47,000 celebrities, freelancers, and current and former Sony employees.

An analysis of 33,000 leaked SPE documents by data security software firm Identity Finder found the leaked files included the personal information, salaries, and home addresses for employees and freelancers who worked at the studio. Some of the celebrities include Sylvester Stallone, director Judd Apatow and Australian actress Rebel Wilson, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the analysis.

Other data identified as leaked to file-sharing networks after the breach include contracts, termination dates, termination reason, and other sensitive information, nearly all of which was stored in Microsoft Excel files without password protection, said Identity Finder CEO Todd Feinman.

SPE representatives did not respond to a request for comment.

The leak highlights the risk posed to large companies and organizations that store customer and employee information on computers attached to the Internet, Feinman said.

"This is a common theme of corporations today," Feinman told CNET, ticking off a list of recent security breach victims including Target, Home Depot and PF Changs. "They think they are protected by firewalls and perimeter security, but the border is becoming blurred, and attacks get through."

Identity Finder said it discovered more than 1.1 million SSNs in the files, but that many were duplicates. Sony Entertainment co-chair Amy Pascal's Social Security number was found in 104 separate locations, while Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton's was found in 93 files.

The discovery of multiple copies of data this sensitive on multiple employees' computers or multiple times on a single employee's computer is unusual and dramatically raises a company's security risk, Feinman said.

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Sony hack leaked 47,000 Social Security numbers, celebrity data

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by Ashleigh Barry

azfamily.com

Posted on December 1, 2014 at 6:30 PM

Updated yesterday at 7:33 PM

PHOENIX -- Home security systems are flying off shelves at local electronics stores this holiday season. The Best Buy at 19th Street and Camelback Road has very little inventory left, after Black Friday shoppers cleaned off the shelves.

"They look very scarce right now," said Jon Coskun, who's shopping around for home surveillance kits. He says it didn't take long to realize that he wasn't alone, since the shelves are virtually empty in the surveillance aisle. "Security is very, very important. Safety is number one with everybody's concerns," he said.

Many say it's true, a tiny lens can bring safety, security and peace of mind. "Most people tell me they had some sort of traumatic break-in, and they need something specific," said Xavier Calderon, with the Best Buy Geek Squad. "They're looking for wireless devices that can connect to something that's wireless at the same time," he said.

Bryce Nelson was shopping for two kits, one for his Valley home and another so that he can monitor what's going on nearly two thousand miles away. "I do own a home in Minnesota, I'm back and forth, so it's kind of nice to be able to check places wherever I'm at and make sure everything is good," said Nelson.

Home surveillance systems are popping up all over neighborhoods. And while some residents try to keep them discreet, others make it very clear, posting signs to notify others that they are under constant watch.

But those warnings are not always a deterrent. Joann Wood recalls a recent conversation she had with a neighbor who has surveillance cameras. "She told us the other day that a bike was missing.They left their garage door open and they saw the person on the surveillance camera," Wood said.

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Home security systems flying off the shelves

Homeowners are increasingly looking to technology for home security solutions, to save on heating and cooling costs and even to help them cook the perfect steak.

In fact, 46% of consumers recently surveyed by ERA Real Estate and HGTV said it was important for their current or next home to have smart home technology. And 51% of the 2,437 consumers polled said theyd consider installing smart home technology in their home to make it more appealing to future buyers.

Smart home technology often refers to a home that is connected using the Internet. Whether we are inside the house or 1,000 miles away from the house, we can control and monitor it, said Dave Pedigo, senior director of learning and emerging technologies for the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association.

A big reason smart home technology is becoming more mainstream: Theyre making things so user friendly, so its easy for people to adopt the technology, said Jon Ellen Snyder, a Montana real-estate broker with ERA Landmark in the Bozeman/Livingston area. It is also becoming more affordable, which helps in bringing it to the masses, she said.

Here are some of the top smart home technology products.

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Amy Hoak's Home Economics: 5 tech gadgets you need in your home today

Strangelands S1E25: Blackwatch Home Security System (Minecraft SMP LP Server)
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Homeowners are increasingly looking to technology for home security solutions, to save on heating and cooling costs and even to help them cook the perfect steak.

In fact, 46% of consumers recently surveyed by ERA Real Estate and HGTV said it was important for their current or next home to have smart home technology. And 51% of the 2,437 consumers polled said theyd consider installing smart home technology in their home to make it more appealing to future buyers.

Smart home technology often refers to a home that is connected using the Internet. Whether we are inside the house or 1,000 miles away from the house, we can control and monitor it, said Dave Pedigo, senior director of learning and emerging technologies for the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association.

A big reason smart home technology is becoming more mainstream: Theyre making things so user friendly, so its easy for people to adopt the technology, said Jon Ellen Snyder, a Montana real-estate broker with ERA Landmark in the Bozeman/Livingston area. It is also becoming more affordable, which helps in bringing it to the masses, she said.

Here are some of the top smart home technology products.

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Amy Hoak's Home Economics: Tech products to make your home smarter

SPOKANE, Wash. -

Jenni-Fiere Bivens has taken home security into her own hands after a string of break-ins on her block.

It infuriates me, she said. I've lived here for 28 years, and for the last year it's come to this.

Bivens lives just east of the Northtown Mall. She says there have been at least five break-ins on her block in the past six months, and two in the last week.

Bivens says a couple months ago, she discovered someone was living in her basement. That's when she decided to amp up the security on her property.

She set up security cameras, and lined the perimeter of the home with cacti.

Imagine coming over the wall at night, she said. You know what's going to happen? You're going to get poked. You're going to scream. I'm going to hear it.

Bivens also set up dozens of booby traps inside the home.

It used to be a very quiet peaceful neighborhood, she said. If I could afford it I'd get out.

Bivens says her security measures are intended to function more as an alarm than anything. She believes there could be a situation where she comes face-to-face with a burglar, and if that happens she knows how she'll handle it.

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N. Spokane woman booby traps home due to break ins

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Nate Swanner

DIY home security it seems like everyone is doing it. After being privately funded, Scout is ready to toss their hat into the ring as well. The interesting thing with Scout is that you get a bit more off-the-grid security, but still remain connected. In bridging the gap between modern hardware and software in new ways, Scout is aiming to become the new darling of the home security world. Is Scout worthy of praise, or is their system too clumsy and dated for a modern world?

When appreciating the core hardware you get with Scout, nothing stands out. Theres a hub, a motion detector, and a some door and window sensors. Its plastic, well constructed, and looks about as good as iSmartAlarms offering.

The first sign Scout wants to be taken seriously is the big protected by sign you get with the kit. Its reminiscent of the old yard signs meant to dissuade a would-be burglar.

The only other hardware youll need is your phone. Scouts app is current iOS-only, so Android fans are left wanting for now.

Scout comes in three finishes: black, white, and wood. All three options are two-tone, having a different colored core from the exterior.

Scouts app is about what youd expect, and does little more than offer a glimpse into your home security platform. Its here you can set-up, check-in, and view on.

As much as a monitor for your system, Scouts app is also a central hub. You can, with Scouts optional camera (we didnt get one for review, likely because theyre not ready yet), stream live from anywhere. You can also check on and arm/disarm your sensors, and get logged info on tripped sensors.

Read more from the original source:
Scout Alarm review: DIY home security youll want