How IoT Protocols and Standards Support Secure Data Exchange in the IoT Ecosystem?

As the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices continuously increases, cases of DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks are also witnessed frequently. Do you know that, according to an estimate, 41.6 billion IoT devices will generate 79.4 ZB (zettabytes) of data in 2025? This creates a pressing urgency for businesses, customers, IoT development companies, and other stakeholders to be vigilant about the IoT protocols and standards, which work as game-changers to prevent security breaches.

Decoding IoT Protocols and Standards: A deep dive

IoT communication protocols are modes of communication that protect and ensure optimum security for the data being exchanged between connected devices.

IoT devices are typically connected to the Internet via an IP (Internet Protocol) network. However, devices such as Bluetooth and RFID allow IoT devices to connect locally. In these cases, there’s a difference in power, range, and memory used.

Connection through IP networks is comparatively complex and requires increased memory and power from IoT devices, while the range is not a problem. On the other hand, non-IP networks demand comparatively less power and memory but have a range limitation.

Regarding the IoT communication protocols or technologies, a mix of both IP and non-IP networks can be considered depending on usage.

Types of IoT Protocols

Types of IoT Protocols and Standards dominating the industry

Internet of Things Protocols and Standards can be broadly classified into two separate categories:

1. IoT Network Protocols

IoT Network Protocols are used to connect devices over the network. These are the set of communication protocols typically used over the Internet. Using IoT network protocols, end-to-end data communication within the scope of the network is allowed. Following are the various IoT Network protocols:

• HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol): HyperText Transfer Protocol is the best example of an IoT network protocol. This protocol has formed the foundation of data communication over the web. It is the most common protocol used for IoT devices when a lot of data needs to be published. However, the HTTP protocol is not preferred because of its cost, battery life, energy savings, and other constraints. Additive manufacturing/3D printing is one use case of the HTTP protocol. It enables computers to connect 3D printers in the network and print three-dimensional objects and predetermined process prototypes.
• LoRaWan (Long Range Wide Area Network): It is a long-range, low-power protocol that provides signal detection below the noise level. LoRaWan connects battery-operated things wirelessly to the Internet in either private or global networks. This communication protocol is mainly used by smart cities, where millions of devices function with less power and memory. Smart street lighting is the practical use case of the LoRaWan IoT protocol. Using this protocol, streetlights can be connected to a LoRa gateway. The gateway, in turn, connects to a cloud application that automatically controls light bulbs' intensity based on ambient lighting, which helps reduce power consumption during the day.
• Sigfox: It is a (low-power) wide-area network (LPWAN) protocol that has been engineered specifically to support the Internet of Things (IoT). It allows devices to connect wirelessly to the internet using minimal energy and bandwidth, making it particularly suitable for simple IoT applications that require long battery life and don’t need high data transfer rates. Sigfox transmits small packets of data using minimal energy, making it ideal for battery-powered devices that may only need to send occasional updates, such as smart meters or environmental sensors. This low power usage allows devices to operate on battery power for years, significantly reducing maintenance and operational costs.
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth is one of the most widely used protocols for short-range communication and a standard IoT protocol for wireless data transmission. This communication protocol is secure and perfect for short-range, low-power, low-cost transmission between electronic devices. BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) is a low-energy version of Bluetooth protocol that reduces power consumption and plays an important role in connecting IoT devices. Bluetooth protocol is mostly used in smart wearables, smartphones, and other mobile devices, where small fragments of data can be exchanged without high power and memory. Offering ease of usage, Bluetooth tops the list of IoT device connectivity protocols.
• Mesh: It can be explained as a group of devices that act as a single Wi-Fi communication network made up of multiple wireless radio nodes, nodes, clients, routers, and gateways connected directly in a mesh topology. Line, ring, star, mesh, fully connected, tree, and bus are most popular combinations of connections that are applied between nodes.
• ZigBee: ZigBee is one of the prominent mesh IoT protocol that allows smart IoT objects to work together. It is commonly used in home automation. More famous for industrial settings, ZigBee is used with multiple IoT applications that support low-rate data transfer between short distances. Street lighting and electric meters in urban areas, which provide low power consumption, use the ZigBee communication protocol. It is also used with security systems and in smart homes.
• NFC (Near-Field Communication): NFC is a low-speed network most commonly used to connect electronic devices at a shorter distance, i.e., within 4 cm. NFC networks allow two devices to connect directly with each other by transmitting data through electromagnetic radio fields. The potential benefits of using this IoT protocol are the convenience of payment, great user experience, and improved efficiency. Contactless payment systems, identity documents, and keycards are the most practical use cases of Near-Field Communication IoT protocols. They are designed for contactless data exchange and primarily offer a low-speed connection with simple setup between two electronic devices.
• Wi-Fi: It is the most well-known IoT protocol for connecting nearby devices within a specific range through a Wi-Fi hotspot or by broadcasting a signal. A typical Wi-Fi connection uses multiple radio waves to broadcast information on specific frequencies, such as 2.4 GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz channels. Now, the new 6GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) is expected to the biggest innovation in past 20 years. It is at the heart of this digital transformation that will enable faster and more reliable connections from the next generation of devices. From AR/VR goggles to connected game control, smart TVs, smartphones and tablets, computers, digital cameras, cars and drones, and smart buildings, all use Wi-Fi networks for connectivity.

2. IoT Data Protocols 

IoT data protocols are used to connect low power IoT devices. These protocols provide point-to-point communication with the hardware at the user side without any Internet connection. Connectivity in IoT data protocols is through a wired or a cellular network. Some of the IoT data protocols are:

• Cellular data: Cellular data is catergorized under the Internet of Things (IoT) network protocol because it works as linchpin connecting IoT applications with different cellular networks ranging from 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G for seamless data communication. Extensive coverage, Cost-efficiency, remote management, greater flexibility in connectivity and enhanced security are the prominent benefits of cellular data powered IoT solutions. For years, Cellular IoT has been at the forefront of this technology space as a prominent investment enabling us to connect our physical objects to the Internet on the existing cellular mobile network we are using in our smartphones while eliminating the urgency of investment in  separate dedicated network infrastructure to communicate with IoT devices.
• Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT): One of the most preferred protocols for IoT devices, MQTT collects data from various electronic devices and supports remote device monitoring. It is a subscribe/publish protocol that runs over Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which means it supports event-driven message exchange through wireless networks. MQTT is mainly used in devices which are economical and requires less power and memory. For instance, fire detectors, car sensors, smart watches, and apps for text-based messaging. 
• Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP): CoAP is an internet-utility protocol for restricted gadgets. Using this protocol, the client can send a request to the server, and the server can send the response back to the client in HTTP. For light-weight implementation, it uses UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and reduces space usage. The protocol uses binary data format EXL (Efficient XML Interchanges). CoAP protocol is used mainly in automation, mobiles, and microcontrollers. The protocol sends a request to the application endpoints such as appliances at homes and sends back the response of services and resources in the application. 
• Advanced Message Queuing Protocol (AMQP): AMQP is a software layer protocol for message-oriented middleware environments that provides routing and queuing. It is used for reliable point-to-point connections and supports seamless and secure data exchange between connected devices and the cloud. AMQP consists of three separate components: Exchange, Message Queue, and Binding. These three components ensure a secure and successful exchange and storage of messages and help establish the relationship between messages. The AMQP protocol is mainly used in the banking industry. Whenever a server sends a message, the protocol tracks it until each message is delivered to the intended users/destinations without failure. 
• Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communication Protocol: It is an open industry protocol built to provide remote application management of IoT devices. M2M communication protocols are cost-effective and use public networks. They create an environment where two machines communicate and exchange data. This protocol supports machine self-monitoring and allows systems to adapt to the changing environment. M2M communication protocols are used for smart homes, automated vehicle authentication, vending machines, and ATM machines. 
• Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP): XMPP is uniquely designed. It uses a push mechanism to exchange messages in real time. XMPP is flexible and can integrate with changes seamlessly. Developed using open XML (Extensible Markup Language), XMPP is a presence indicator showing the availability status of the servers or devices transmitting or receiving messages. In addition to instant messaging apps such as Google Talk and WhatsApp, XMPP is also used in online gaming, news websites, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
• Data Distribution Service (DDS): DDS is a middleware IoT Data Protocol and API standard typically used for transmitting data in real-time systems running in a distributed environment. It works on a UDP-based protocol and is architecturally based on the publish-subscribe design pattern. Defense, aerospace industrial internet of things, healthcare and automotive are top areas where DDS IoT Data Protocol are best implemented to ensure fast, efficient and predictable data communication. The major benefits of using Data Distribution Service are low-latency data connectivity, extreme reliability, and a scalable architecture. 
• Z-Wave: It is an emerging wireless communication IoT protocol designed for home automation devices. Z-Wave is a low-power RF communications technology that creates a wireless mesh network operates by sending signals in the sub-1GHz band and capable to control upto 232 devices together. Z-wave technology's primary application areas are home automation products such as lamp controllers and sensors. The key benefits of using this IoT Data Protocol are less interference, robust connectivity, high security via encryption, and fewer disconnections.
• WebSocket: Also referred to as the WebSocket API, WebSocket protocol is ideal for establishing a two-way open interactive communication session in real-time by seamlessly exchanging data between the client and a server. Such IoT data protocols are particularly leveraged in real-time applications such as chat applications, multiplayer games, and financial trading platforms where uninterrupted bi-directional interactions are required instantly without repeated requests.
• OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA): OPC UA is considered the most potent IoT data protocol. It is pivotal in establishing interoperable, secure, and scalable communication across diverse industrial and IoT environments. Initially developed for industrial automation, OPC UA evolved later and is now used as a prominent protocol in IoT and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things). It helps bridge the gap between legacy industrial systems and modern IoT platforms. They are designed to facilitate platform independence by establishing a seamless connection between devices and applications across various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and real-time embedded OS).

IoT standards & protocols offer a secured environment for exchange of data

According to Forbes, approximately “32,000 smart homes and businesses are at risk of leaking data.” Therefore, exploring the potential of IoT protocols and standards becomes important to create a secure environment. Local gateways and other connected devices can use these protocols to communicate and exchange data with the cloud.

Originally Published on 16 May 2019