As the Internet of Things further infiltrates into our daily lives, we need new systems and infrastructure in place to ensure the data collected and analysed is secure and used effectively.   General Datatech is a global technology company that provides high technology products and services to commercial enterprises, and have earned an impressive list of awards that includes Cisco awards for Global and US Architectural Excellence for Service Provider Architectures and Enterprise Partner of the Year for four consecutive years.   As General Counsel at General Datatech, John Ansbach is currently working on enhancing privacy, security and the cloud in an increasingly interconnected world. He will be sharing his latest experience at the Internet of Things Summit in Boston on 28-29th May in a panel discussion on IoT Common Standards and Security, alongside, Xively by LogMeIn, SafeLogic, Ecovent and MIT Technology Review.

What are the key factors that have enabled recent advancements in IOT? Advances in battery strength and life, continued miniaturization of chips and ever increasing connectivity and bandwidth have truly driven IoT growth. We’re now able to make more devices smart for more sustainable periods of time at faster and faster speeds, meaning the true Internet of Everything is emerging right before our eyes. What industries do you think will be disrupted by IoT in the future?  The most likely likely impact will come in healthcare and automotive sectors. How and where providers care for their patients will evolve, radically in some cases, while at the same time how we operate our vehicles (and whether we do so directly, at all) will change dramatically. What are the practical applications of your work and what sectors are most likely to be affected? My work focuses on helping my company keep information secure. So, as we help to empower our clients with IoT solutions, we do so with a constant and watchful eye on the impact those solutions may have on data security and privacy. This work impacts broad sectors of the economy, but often is focused in healthcare, energy and retail.What developments can we expect to see in IOT in the next 5 years? I suspect we’ll continue to see advancements in IoT infrastructure, in terms of greater and faster connectivity and more and more creative solutions surrounding power. I believe we’ll also see standards evolve, which while not a hot topic in the media, will truly help to bring online more and more IoT solutions.Which areas do you feel could benefit from cross-industry collaboration? Broadly speaking, we will see significant benefits from the cross-industry collaboration now taking place between traditional industry (think auto makers, home builders, factories) and high tech providers. To some extent, this is what IoT is all about -  bringing Nest and other home automation tools into everyday home construction, or Google/Apple interface products into Fords and Chevys. Collaboration (or lack thereof) will define the success of IoT in the next few years, and the players who find there way here with the vision to see what others do not will be the definitive winners in the new IoT-defined landscape.What advancements excite you most in the field? I’m really excited (and hopeful) to see how IoT will impact everyday life. Will car accidents largely become a thing of the past? Will the long term ill and infirm stay healthier, longer, because IoT devices administer their medicine regularly and without fail? Will we have a cleaner environment and more breathable air, because IoT devices maximize the efficiencies of our community power usage? This is the promise of IoT, and it is truly exciting and extraordinary to watch it grow all around us.The Internet of Things Summit is taking place in Boston on 28-29 May. Places are now limited, register today to avoid disappointment.
John Ansbach will be speaking on Day 2 of the summit, alongside speakers from Xively, Misfit Wearables, Ecovent, ONKÖL & more. View the schedule here.

Follow the event and community discussions on Twitter with the event hashtag #reworkIoT.