K
Kathleen Martin
Guest
All kinds of devices and systems are using edge computing systems in the business world and the everyday. The edge is changing how everyone processes data, but it is facing some key challenges. Here’s a look at the hurdles it must overcome and the trends pushing it forward.
What is edge computing?
Imagine pressing your thumb to the touch ID sensor on your smartphone and waiting five or 10 minutes for it to unlock. Thanks to edge computing, this isn’t necessary. It’s a vital part of all sorts of systems and devices today, from cellphones to automation control systems in manufacturing plants.
Edge computing essentially consists of keeping computing devices as close to sensors and systems as possible. For instance, instead of having an automation system send information to a data center for processing, it’s done immediately by computing infrastructure just a few feet away. The idea is to reduce the time required to process and react to data as much as possible.
Edge computing challenges
Edge computing is a revolutionary technology, but it is still relatively new. Engineers and programmers are still working out a few key challenges.
Security
Security is a major concern today for all types of technology. Cyberthreats have been rising over recent years alongside the cost of successful attacks. In 2021, there was a 105% global increase in ransomware attacks alone. The range of these cyberattacks is growing, with targets no longer limited to big-name brands or large data centers.
Hackers also tend to take advantage of newer technologies, betting that they are less likely to have adequate security infrastructure. Edge computing can make systems more secure by keeping processing local. However, the infrastructure and devices themselves need their own security measures. This includes access control, traffic monitoring, and data backup and protection protocols.
In the future, edge computing devices and processors must have dedicated security protocols built in and may even need their own onboard antivirus and anti-malware software. Encryption from sensors and devices to edge computing processing may also help.
Hardware
Another major challenge facing edge computing is hardware. Edge computing requires some baseline infrastructure to operate successfully, such as adequate bandwidth and data storage space.
With computing going on locally and running so quickly, edge computing needs plenty of bandwidth to avoid experiencing bottlenecks. It also leads to large amounts of information being processed locally that must be stored. It could remain at a large data center if it were still being processed there. That may not be an ideal solution for edge computing, though.
Continue reading: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/trends-challenges-edge-computing/
What is edge computing?
Imagine pressing your thumb to the touch ID sensor on your smartphone and waiting five or 10 minutes for it to unlock. Thanks to edge computing, this isn’t necessary. It’s a vital part of all sorts of systems and devices today, from cellphones to automation control systems in manufacturing plants.
Edge computing essentially consists of keeping computing devices as close to sensors and systems as possible. For instance, instead of having an automation system send information to a data center for processing, it’s done immediately by computing infrastructure just a few feet away. The idea is to reduce the time required to process and react to data as much as possible.
Edge computing challenges
Edge computing is a revolutionary technology, but it is still relatively new. Engineers and programmers are still working out a few key challenges.
Security
Security is a major concern today for all types of technology. Cyberthreats have been rising over recent years alongside the cost of successful attacks. In 2021, there was a 105% global increase in ransomware attacks alone. The range of these cyberattacks is growing, with targets no longer limited to big-name brands or large data centers.
Hackers also tend to take advantage of newer technologies, betting that they are less likely to have adequate security infrastructure. Edge computing can make systems more secure by keeping processing local. However, the infrastructure and devices themselves need their own security measures. This includes access control, traffic monitoring, and data backup and protection protocols.
In the future, edge computing devices and processors must have dedicated security protocols built in and may even need their own onboard antivirus and anti-malware software. Encryption from sensors and devices to edge computing processing may also help.
Hardware
Another major challenge facing edge computing is hardware. Edge computing requires some baseline infrastructure to operate successfully, such as adequate bandwidth and data storage space.
With computing going on locally and running so quickly, edge computing needs plenty of bandwidth to avoid experiencing bottlenecks. It also leads to large amounts of information being processed locally that must be stored. It could remain at a large data center if it were still being processed there. That may not be an ideal solution for edge computing, though.
Continue reading: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/trends-challenges-edge-computing/
