Internet of Things (IoT) Policy

Intel public policy: How Intel promotes innovation worldwide.

Background

The world is in the midst of a dramatic transformation from isolated systems to Internet-enabled devices that can network and communicate with each other and the cloud. Commonly referred to as the IoT, this new reality is being driven by the convergence of increasingly connected devices, compute and data economics, and the proliferation and acceleration of cloud and big data analytics. This shift in technology is creating unprecedented opportunities to develop new services, enhance productivity and efficiency, improve real-time decision making, solve critical societal problems, and deliver innovative user experiences. These unrivaled opportunities will fuel GDP, create new jobs, and boost the economy.

Key Issues

Connectivity and interoperability

Systems of intelligent devices ("systems of systems") must be connected to each other or the network to maximize the potential of the IoT. However, 85 percent of today's devices are based on unconnected legacy systems. To address this issue, Intel supports policies that promote connectivity and interoperability of legacy devices—thus avoiding replacement of existing infrastructure and realizing IoT benefits in the short term, while also enabling interaction with new devices and infrastructure over the long term.

Privacy and security

Intel believes that privacy and security must be designed into IoT systems at the outset using best known privacy-by-design methods and address the range of purposes and risks of different IoT solutions. Intel supports policies that evoke trust through hardened privacy and security solutions to motivate IoT adoption. Consumer notice and consent continue to be important, but other principles such as accountability for appropriate collection, use, and data protection also must be emphasized.

Intelligent analytics and big data

Analytics will enable turning big data into actionable intelligence. Analytics and the insights that it provides will be the IoT's driving force to improve productivity and efficiency, as well as new public and private sector businesses and services. Intel promotes policies that support the analysis of new data from IoT devices and systems to extract enormous value, boosting economic efficiency and productivity.

Open standards

Intel supports voluntary, global, industry-led standards with open participation, because they will accelerate IoT systems and applications by fueling innovation and speeding adoption of new technologies. Standards can facilitate interoperability across IoT ecosystems, foster investment and competition, and scale to enable cost-effective solutions. Industry is in the best position to lead development of standards to meet IoT market requirements, with government as a key participant.

Data and device discoverability

Data created by devices and "systems of systems" in IoT deployments must be categorized as public or private and managed dynamically in a common way to enable scalable IoT implementations. Devices and data also must be discoverable by applications and services in a common way. This ability to "find" devices and data will speed the pace of IoT deployments and benefits. Intel supports policies that encourage government and industry to collaborate on a common set of best discoverability methods. 

Public-private partnerships

Intel supports public-private partnerships (PPPs), which leverage industry standards and investments and use public and private resources to facilitate research, leadership, and governance—to help advance IoT. Viable IoT PPPs must be an appealing investment for government and industry, while ensuring scalability, sustainability, and innovation. Government funding may be appropriate to spur more rapid IoT deployment in some cases.