What is IoT? | IT Passport Exam Prep | Use Cases, Communication Standards, and Security Risks

What is IoT?

IoT (Internet of Things) is a system that connects various objects to the internet to collect and control data. The components follow this flow: data collection via sensors, transmission via communication, storage and analysis in the cloud or at the edge, and control via actuators. In the past five years (2021–2025), 23 questions have appeared on the IT Passport exam, making it a frequent topic.

Typical Use Cases of IoT

Smart home appliances allow remote control of air conditioners and refrigerators. In factory predictive maintenance, sensors detect equipment failures in advance. Smart agriculture enables automatic irrigation based on soil moisture and temperature. Autonomous vehicles link onboard sensors with the cloud. In healthcare, smartwatches collect health data.

Communication Standards

LPWA (Low Power Wide Area)

LPWA is a method that enables wide-area communication with low power consumption. It can operate for several years on battery power, making it suitable for IoT devices. Representative standards include LoRaWAN, Sigfox, and NB-IoT. On the exam, if you see characteristics like "wide range, low speed, low power consumption," choose LPWA.

5G

5G features high speed, large capacity, low latency, and support for many simultaneous connections. It is used in use cases where low latency is essential, such as autonomous driving and remote medical care.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are short-range communication methods used to connect IoT devices to smartphones or routers.

Edge Computing

Edge computing is a method that processes data locally (at the edge) before sending it to the cloud. Benefits include low latency, reduced communication volume, and improved privacy protection. Unlike traditional cloud computing, which aggregates all data in the cloud, edge computing processes data on-site.

IoT Security Risks

IoT devices are often shipped with weak passwords, making them easy targets for botnets (e.g., the Mirai incident). Additionally, many devices lack adequate firmware update mechanisms. Since attackers may also have physical access, security measures are crucial.

Key Points for the IT Passport Exam

Key points include identifying IoT components and typical use cases, comparing LPWA, 5G, and edge computing by application, and understanding IoT security vulnerabilities.

Typical Past Exam Question Patterns

• "Which standard connects IoT devices over a wide area with low power consumption?" → LPWA
• "What is an advantage of processing data locally?" → Edge computing

Related Terms

• AI and Machine Learning (AI and Machine Learning Basics): The analysis side of IoT data
• DX Component Technologies (What is DX?)

Study Tips

As a study tip, diagramming IoT as a four-stage process—"Sensor → Communication → Cloud/Edge → Control"—makes it easier to understand. Summarizing communication standards in a comparison table along the three axes of "speed, distance, and power consumption" is also effective. Additionally, keep in mind that security issues often originate from the hardware itself.

Summary

By mastering the components, the appropriate use of communication standards, and security risks, you can handle IoT-related questions. For comprehensive practice in the Technology domain, check out the Technology Summary, and for a simulated exam format, use the Practice Exam.