International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 9 Issue 4, Jul-Aug 2025 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Internet of Things: An Overview

Matthew N. O. Sadiku1, Paul A. Adekunte2, Janet O. Sadiku3
1
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
2
International Institute of Professional Security, Lagos, Nigeria
3
Juliana King University, Houston, TX, USA

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Matthew N. O.

The Internet of things (IoT) refers to the networking of physical Sadiku | Paul A. Adekunte | Janet O.
object, or “things,” that independently talk to each other over the Sadiku "Internet of Things: An
Internet and exchange information. These "things" can range from Overview" Published in International
Journal of Trend in
everyday household appliances to complex industrial machinery. The
Scientific Research
IoT simplifies and automates tasks that are complicated and and Development
sometimes beyond the scope of human capabilities. IoT has (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-
transformed the way people interact with the world around them. It 6470, Volume-9 |
has led to the development of smart homes, smart cities, and Issue-4, August
industries. Due to the advent of inexpensive computer chips and high 2025, pp.1063- IJTSRD97387
bandwidth telecommunication, we now have billions of devices 1069, URL:
connected to the Internet. This means everyday devices like www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd97387.pdf
toothbrushes, vacuums, cars, and machines can use sensors to collect
data and respond intelligently to users. This paper provides an Copyright © 2025 by author (s) and
International Journal of Trend in
overview of the Internet of things.
Scientific Research and Development
KEYWORDS: Internet of things, IoT, industrial Internet of things, Journal. This is an
IIoT, smart devices, IoT applications. Open Access article
distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

INTRODUCTION
The Internet of things (IoT) refers to objects that have connecting to an IoT gateway, which acts as a central
sensors, software, and network connectivity, and can hub where IoT devices can send data. They
exchange data over the Internet. These objects, communicate with related devices and act on the
known as “smart” objects, devices, or machines, can information they get from one another [2].
operate and interact with their environment on their The IoT harnesses the power of the Internet to
own, without human intervention. They can connect physical devices in real-time. It is making
communicate with each other, share data, and
devices smarter and is responsible for innovative
perform tasks [1]. IoT allows us to connect anything changes in many industries. Real-world Internet of
to the IoT ecosystem and make it available on the things examples range from a smart home that
web with the help of sensors that collect data, automatically adjusts heating and lighting to a smart
processors, and high-coverage connections. Using factory that monitors industrial machines to look for
IoT platforms brings smart buildings, smart home problems, then automatically adjusts to avoid failures.
devices, wearable devices, and fleet management into
Today, we are living in a world where there are more
a central IoT platform for managing physical devices. IoT-connected devices than humans. IoT connected
The Internet of things (IoT) consists of a vast number devices and machines predict problems before they
of “things” that are connected to the Internet so they occur [3].
can share data with other things. A “thing” in the OVERVIEW OF INTERNET OF THINGS
Internet of things can be a person with a heart monitor The concept of the Internet of things (IoT) has been
implant, a farm animal with a biochip transponder, an around since the late 1990s, but it gained momentum
automobile that has built-in sensors to alert the driver in the 2000s with the rise of Internet-connected
when tire pressure is low, or any other human-made devices. The Internet began with some military
object that can be assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) computers in the Pentagon called Arpanet in 1969. It
address. These things or devices share sensor data by expanded throughout the 1980s as a set of four

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parallel military networks, each at a different security 5. Session layer: Responsible for the establishment
level. The core technology which gives the Internet and termination of sessions between devices.
its particular characteristics is called Transmission
6. Presentation layer: Runs the formatting and
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), which is
encoding of data using protocols.
essentially a set of rules for communication [4].
7. Application layer: Represents the applications
Internet of things (IoT) is a worldwide network that
and services that run on top of the IoT system.
connects devices to the Internet and to each other
using wireless technology. These devices contain INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS
hardware such as sensors and electronics which give The growth of the internet of things (IoT) is
them the ability to interact with other objects and to drastically making impact on home and industry.
be monitored and controlled from afar. The idea is While the IoT affects among others transportation,
that the physical devices with sensors or the ability to healthcare, or smart homes, the Industrial Internet of
capture data, shares that data with websites. The Things (IIoT) refers in particular to industrial
information is then used or analyzed in real time or at environments. IIoT is a new industrial ecosystem that
a later time, to create efficiencies. IoT is expanding combines intelligent and autonomous machines,
rapidly and it has been estimated that 50 billion advanced predictive analytics, and machine-human
devices will be connected to the Internet by 2020. collaboration to improve productivity, efficiency and
These include smart phones, tablets, desktop reliability. It is bringing about a world where smart,
computers, autonomous vehicles, refrigerators, connected embedded systems and products operate as
toasters, thermostats, cameras, alarm systems, home part of larger systems [8].
appliances, insulin pumps, industrial machines, The industrial Internet of things (IIoT) refers to the
intelligent wheelchairs, wireless sensors, mobile application of the Internet of things (IoT) across
robots, etc. Figure 1 illustrates the Internet of things several industries such as manufacturing, logistics, oil
[5]. and gas, transportation, energy/utilities, chemical,
There are four main technologies that enable IoT [6]: aviation and other industrial sectors. A typical
(1) Radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near- industrial Internet of things is shown in Figure 3 [9].
field communication, (2) Optical tags and quick IIoT is often used in the context of Industry 4.0, the
response codes: This is used for low cost tagging, (3) Industrial Internet and related initiatives across the
Bluetooth low energy (BLE), (4) Wireless sensor globe. Industry 4.0 describes a new industrial
network: They are usually connected as wireless revolution with a focus on automation, innovation,
sensor networks to monitor physical properties in data, cyber-physical systems, processes, and people
specific environments [7]. Communications [10]. With Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial
technologies in Internet of things are portrayed in revolution is set on merging automation and
Figure 2 [5]. information domains into the industrial Internet of
At the foundation of the IoT is Internet Protocol (IP) things, services, and people. The communication
and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). These infrastructure of Industry 4.0 allows devices to be
standards and rules form the basis for sensors, accessible in barrier-free manner in the industrial
devices, and systems to connect with the Internet and Internet of things, without sacrificing the integrity of
with each other. The seven layers of IoT are the safety and security [11]. Figure 4 shows a typical
components that work together to enable the representation of IoT [12].
communication and exchange of data between IoT APPLICATIONS OF IOT
devices. They are [1]: An IoT application is a collection of services and
1. Physical layer: The physical components of the software that integrates data received from various
IoT system, including sensors, actuators, and IoT devices. IoT enables a range of applications
other devices that capture and transmit data. within environmental monitoring, traffic control,
healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and others.
2. Data link layer: Manages the communication
Some of the applications are shown in Figure 5 [13].
between devices, including protocols such as Wi-
Common areas of application include the following
Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee.
[1,14]:
3. Network layer: Handles the routing and delivery
 Telecommunications: IoT technology is being
of data between devices using protocols.
widely adopted in the telecom industry. It offers a
4. Transport layer: Controls the end-to-end range of benefits such as enhanced network
communication between devices using protocols. management, improved asset tracking, and an

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elevated customer experience. Telcos are using BENEFITS
IoT to offer new services. Telcos can enable The Internet of things can have a huge impact on our
devices with IoT to gather data, optimize network day-to-day lives. For example, it may be possible for
performance, and provide innovative services and humans to remain connected with their electronic
solutions. IoT devices can be used to monitor and devices without actually having to get close to them.
manage telecom networks. They can collect data The adoption rate for the IoT is increasing
on network performance, traffic patterns, and exponentially with each passing day due to the many
usage. As a result, telcos can optimize their benefits if offers. Other benefits of IoT include the
networks for better performance and efficiency. following [2,15]:
 Transportation: Transportation systems benefit  Accessibility: IoT offers easy access to
from a variety of IoT applications. Fleets of cars, information from anywhere at any time on any
trucks, ships, and trains that carry inventory can device. For example, IoT enhances the
be rerouted based on weather conditions, vehicle accessibility of information by providing real-
availability, or driver availability. The IoT can time data and insights, intuitive interfaces, and
assist in the integration of communications, proactive alerts. IoT improves communication
control, and information processing across between connected electronic devices by enabling
various transportation systems. Application of the efficient data exchange, extending network reach,
IoT extends to all aspects of transportation conserving energy, and prioritizing critical
systems (i.e., the vehicle, the infrastructure, and communications.
the driver or user).
 Automation: IoT automates tasks to improve the
 Agriculture: There are numerous IoT applications quality of a company's services and reduces the
in farming such as collecting data on temperature, need for human intervention. For example, in
rainfall, humidity, wind speed, pest infestation, agriculture, IoT-enabled irrigation systems can
and soil content. For example, farmers can now automatically adjust watering schedules based on
monitor soil temperature and moisture from afar soil moisture levels, weather forecasts and crop
and even apply IoT-acquired data to precision requirements.
fertilization programs. The overall goal is that
 Data-driven Decision-making: Real-time data
data from sensors, coupled with the farmer's
allows for informed decision-making based on
knowledge and intuition about his or her farm,
accurate and up-to-date information. IoT devices
can help increase farm productivity, and also help
generate vast amounts of data that can be used to
reduce costs. IoT devices can be used in
make better-informed business decisions and new
agriculture to monitor soil conditions, weather
business models. By analyzing this data,
patterns, and crop growth. For example, sensors
businesses can gain insights into customer
can be used to measure the moisture content of
behavior, market trends, and operational
soil, ensuring that crops are irrigated at the
performance, allowing them to make more
optimal time.
informed decisions.
 Maritime Industry: IoT devices are in use to
 Improved Efficiency: Automation and data-driven
monitor the environments and systems of boats
insights can lead to significant improvements in
and yachts. Many pleasure boats are left
efficiency across various sectors. By using IoT
unattended for days in summer, and months in
devices to automate and optimize processes,
winter so such devices provide valuable early
businesses can improve efficiency and
alerts of boat flooding, fire, and deep discharge of
productivity. For example, IoT sensors can be
batteries.
used to monitor equipment performance and
 Connected Cars: There are many ways vehicles, detect or even resolve potential issues before they
such as cars, can be connected to the Internet. It cause downtime, reducing maintenance costs and
can be through smart dashcams, infotainment improving uptime.
systems, or even the vehicle's connected gateway.
 Cost-savings: By optimizing processes and
They collect data from the accelerator, brakes,
reducing waste, IoT can help lower costs in
speedometer, odometer, wheels, and fuel tanks to
various applications. By reducing manual
monitor both driver performance and vehicle
processes and automating repetitive tasks, IoT can
health. Connected cars have a range of uses
help businesses reduce costs and improve
monitoring rental car fleets to increase fuel
profitability. For example, IoT devices can be
efficiency and reduce costs.
used to monitor energy usage and optimize

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consumption, reducing energy costs and investments in hardware, software, and
improving sustainability. infrastructure. The deployment of the enterprise
 Enhanced Customer Experience: By using IoT IoT is an expensive affair and it becomes
technology to gather data about customer important for the enterprises that intend to use this
behavior, businesses can create more personalized technology to manage their resources properly so
and engaging experiences for their customers. For that they can get good value for money spent on
example, retailers can use IoT sensors to track it. However, the cost of integrating computing
customer movements in stores and deliver power into small objects has now dropped
personalized offers based on their behavior. considerably.

CHALLENGES  Skill Shortage: There is a major skill gap that

Connecting many different devices over the Internet needs to be eliminated for the Internet of things to
offers scope for criminal activities. It offers be successful. Only a limited number of
cybercriminals easy entry doors to obtain sensitive professionals have expertise and skills in this field
information from private individuals or companies. and it is expected to grow. Due to decreased
Therefore, ensuring the protection of data during human intervention in various tasks, IoT can
collection and transmission is the central challenge of result in job displacement for low-wage workers
the Internet of things. Although IoT adoption has or those with limited experience.
quickly become a business enabler, security and  Regulation: As IoT devices become more
privacy issues present a major challenge for this widespread, regulatory, and legal challenges are
emerging technology as they are vulnerable to emerging. Though still in their infancy,
hacking and easy to breach. Other challenges of IoT regulations and governance regarding issues of
include the following [14,16]: privacy, security, and data ownership continue to
 Data Privacy: One of the most important develop. IoT regulation depends on the country.
challenges for IoT devices is ensuring collecting An example of legislation that is relevant to
data privacy and security. Multiple devices can privacy and data collection is the US Privacy Act
collect data about their owner's details such as of 1974. Governmental regulation is argued by
health, age, and other such related data. These some to be necessary to secure IoT devices and
devices need to be programmed to not collect or the wider Internet.
share this information without the consent of the  Data Storage: The amount of data IoT collects
user. Also, it becomes very important for such requires large amounts of storage, meaning
devices to use strong security tools so that access organizations must scale their storage
is permitted only by authorized personnel for infrastructure to match the amount of data they
specific purposes. Another concern is the use of collect. A challenge for producers of IoT
surveillance cameras to track the movements of applications is to clean, process and interpret the
people, for when video data is combined with vast amount of data which is gathered by the
other types of data generated from sensors, sensors. Another challenge is the storage of this
cameras, cellular records, computer logs, and bulk data. Depending on the application, there
other systems, it is possible to identify where a could be high data acquisition requirements,
person has been or what they have done at any which in turn lead to high storage requirements.
given moment. Data silos, although a common challenge of
 Security: The Internet of things facilitates the legacy systems, still commonly occur with the
sharing of IoT data between a large number of implementation of IoT devices, particularly
devices, which can result in the greater within manufacturing.
vulnerability of a data center if proper measures  Interoperability: IoT devices from different
are not taken for protecting these devices from manufacturers often use different standards and
being hacked into. Hence, it becomes important to protocols, making it difficult for them to perform
use strong passwords and install antivirus machine-to-machine communication. This can
software that can protect these devices from being lead to interoperability issues and create silos of
attacked by cybercriminals. Since they can be data that are difficult to integrate and analyze.
easily hacked into, many companies are reluctant
CONCLUSION
to adopt IoT technology.
The Internet of things is an emerging technology with
 Managing Cost: Implementing an IoT system can huge potential for advancement in various areas like
be costly and complex, requiring significant healthcare, transportation, smart cities, and energy

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Figure 1 The Internet of things [5].

Figure 2 Communications technologies in Internet of things [5].

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Figure 3 A typical industrial Internet of things [9].

Figure 4 A typical representation of IoT [12].

Figure 5 Some of the applications of IoT [13].

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