How the NSA is using the IoT to watch you

The internet of things (IoT) is revolutionizing the way we work, live and experience the world around us. But these innovative technologies are not without its problems, particularly security.

The internet of things (IoT) is revolutionizing the way we work, live and experience the world around us. But these innovative technologies are not without its problems, particularly security. There have been countless articles written about the potential for hackers or even spies to access important information and use it to their advantage. Now the NSA wants to access your data, too, and they want everything from smart home info to biomedical device data.

According to Popular Mechanics: "Smart cameras record your every move and upload that data to the cloud and anyone can intercept that footage on the way, like these Russian hackers did to thousands of webcams  that were secured only by their default passwords. Microphones can record your conversations. A smart thermostat's usage patterns can reveal when you're going to be out of the house. Even something as simple as a smart egg tray can tell snoopers when you go grocery shopping. And for many people, some or all of that information will be relatively unsecured.

And now, it looks like the NSA is planning to tap into all that to get information on potential terror threats. NSA deputy director Richard Ledgett did not go into detail about how exactly the NSA will be collecting that information, and only said that the agency would be "looking at it... from a research point of view." However, in the future the agency may start bulk collection of data from IoT devices, much as they currently do for phone calls. It's unclear what consequences this will have for security tomorrow, or years down the line."

To learn more, read "The NSA Wants To Spy On Thermostats, Refrigerators, and Pacemakers" from Popular Mechanics.

About the Author

Alexis Gajewski

Alexis Gajewski

Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.

During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry. 

Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.

She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.

Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.

Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn

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