From global connectivity disruption and catastrophic cybersecurity breaches, to acquisitions, new legislation and positive market growth – 2024 was quite a year for IoT news headlines. We’ve summed up five of the biggest and added a bonus feel-good story too.

Severed undersea cables and major network outages halted global communications

Each year we see 10-20 high-profile IT outages or data center events globally. This year, several connectivity interruptions made international headlines.

Big hitters included a major AT&T outage in February (the biggest we’ve seen in years), damage to subsea cables along the east coast of Africa in February and again in May, and another four subsea cables along the west coast of Africa in March. (Avoidable, we’d like to note, if you employ an IoT connectivity solution like FlexiSIM.)

And let’s not forget the now-infamous CrowdStrike incident on 19 July, when a faulty software update caused a massive IT outage and widespread system crashes that quite literally stopped companies from operating. The outage is estimated to have cost Fortune 500 companies upwards of $5.4 billion in direct financial losses.

Whoops is an understatement.

➡️ With a resilient connectivity solution, disruptions like this can be avoided. Check out our SIM solutions here: https://www.ionlinesp.com/sim-card-page

Connected IoT devices grew by 13% globally

This year we saw a surge in global IoT device growth, with experts predicting that by end 2024, connected IoT devices will number 13% more than they did in 2023.

There were approximately 16.6 billion connected IoT devices by the end of 2023. Factoring in the 13% growth, we should have 18.8 billion by the end of the year. It's clear proof of the quickening rate of IoT tech adoption across industries, use cases and geographies.

We say: bring it on!

➡️ IoT device growth is good news for everybody. See the use cases here: https://www.ionlinesp.com/use-cases

Repeated high-profile IoT security breaches sparked stricter protection protocols

Cybersecurity crises were abundant this year, with several high-profile breaches inciting stricter industry-wide security measures and new protection protocols.

Many organisations found themselves the target of ransomware attacks and security breaches focused on data theft and extortion. Healthcare providers and insurance companies were among those repeatedly targeted. Not even a global giant like Microsoft evaded attack, with criminals stealing emails from members of its senior leadership team, cybersecurity team and legal team.

It seems email123 definitely wasn’t a strong enough password.

➡️ Our solutions incorporate several layers of security. Read more about strengthening your device security here: https://www.ionlinesp.com/fortify-your-iot-security-heres-how

Cisco Systems acquired Splunk for $28 billion

Networking giant Cisco Systems completed one of the biggest acquisitions in the history of the IT industry in March 2024, when it took over data management and observability platform developer Splunk.

The result of the $28 billion acquisition is an AI-powered data platform that executives say will “revolutionise the way customers leverage data to connect and protect every aspect of their organisation”.

Let’s hope they’re right.

➡️ We believe IoT will change the world. Read more here: https://www.ionlinesp.com/iot-will-change-the-world

IoT security legislation introduced mandatory security standards for connected devices

The US, UK, EU and Australia were among the counties to begin implementing new IoT security regulations, including stricter device security requirements and mandatory security standards for connected devices.

The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as one example, sets a precedent for data privacy that is hoped will start a global wave of change.

We’re keen to see how other countries and regions adopt similar changes.

➡️ Stricter legislation benefits everyone. Here’s more on our private and secure networks: https://www.ionlinesp.com/private-global-connectivity

Europe's largest “smart things” innovation hub opened in Glasgow, Scotland

As if Scotland doesn’t have enough going for it with whisky, the Loch Ness Monster and the adorable ridiculousness that is the Highland Coo (it’s a thing, Google it), a new innovation hub, The Beyond, opened its doors earlier this year.

The Beyond will serve as an incubator and accelerator for Glasgow’s growing IoT industry, as well as the home of new tech startups. Its 22,000-square-foot campus includes a full electronics lab, a fabrication lab, an R&D makerspace, a media lab, an event space, and a 250-desk co-working space.

It’s exactly what the world needs to keep driving positive change!

➡️ We love innovation! Our sustainable eUICC SIM, FlexiSIM, is as good for your business as it is for the environment. See how we lowered the environmental impact here: https://www.ionlinesp.com/ionline-workz-introduce-sustainable-hybrid-sim-for-improved-business-connectivity