All types of devices and systems use edge computing systems in business and everyday life. Edge is changing the way everyone processes data, but it faces some key challenges. Here’s a look at the hurdles it faces and the trends driving it forward.
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What is edge computing?
Imagine you press your thumb on your smartphone’s Touch ID sensor and wait five or 10 minutes for it to unlock. Thanks to edge computing, this is not necessary. It is now an essential part of all types of systems and devices, from cell phones to automation control systems in manufacturing plants.
Edge computing essentially consists of keeping computing devices as close as possible to sensors and systems. For example, instead of having an automation system send information to a data center for processing, it is done instantly by computing infrastructure just a few feet away. The idea is to reduce as much as possible the time required to process and respond to data.
Edge Computing Challenges
Edge computing is a revolutionary technology, but it’s still relatively new. Engineers and programmers are still working on some key challenges.
security
Security is a major concern for all types of technology these days. Cyber threats have increased in recent years along with the cost of successful attacks. In 2021, there was a 105% global increase in ransomware attacks alone. The reach of these cyberattacks is growing, and targets are no longer limited to well-known brands or large data centers.
Hackers also tend to take advantage of newer technologies, betting that they are less likely to have an adequate security infrastructure. Edge computing can make systems more secure by keeping processing local. However, the infrastructure and the devices themselves require their own security measures. These include access control, traffic monitoring, and data backup and protection protocols.
In the future, edge computing devices and processors will need to have dedicated built-in security protocols and may even need their own built-in anti-virus and anti-malware software. Encryption from sensors and devices to edge computing processing can also help.
hardware
Another major challenge for edge computing is the hardware. Edge computing requires a basic infrastructure to function successfully, such as B. Adequate bandwidth and data storage space.
Because data processing is local and so fast, edge computing requires a lot of bandwidth to avoid bottlenecks. It also results in processing large amounts of information locally that needs to be stored. It could remain in a large data center if it was still being processed there. However, this may not be an ideal solution for edge computing.
These are not insurmountable challenges, but they can pose problems for some companies. For example, a company might want to implement hyper-automation, a business-focused automation method that can benefit greatly from edge computing. However, this company’s edge computing strategy may fail if it doesn’t have the funds or space for adequate data storage resources. Hardware can also be a major challenge when scaling over the long term.
Executives need to find ways to make bandwidth and data storage requirements more manageable. This makes edge computing broader and more accessible.
Edge Computing Trends
Edge computing not only faces challenges – this technology is also in a period of exciting growth and innovation. A few key trends are emerging, including 5G connectivity.
Edge computing with 5G
5G connectivity is the latest advancement in wireless communications and offers some key benefits for edge computing. It offers new top speeds and lower latency, which are extremely helpful.
Latency and bandwidth are among the top challenges for edge computing. It will likely get a boost as 5G becomes more widely available in the coming years.
Emerging Technologies
Two emerging technologies will benefit greatly from edge computing and are likely to lead to increased adoption. Autonomous vehicles and the metaverse are on the verge of mainstream use, with important advances in recent years.
SEE: Metaverse Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need to Know (Free PDF) (TechRepublic)
For example, autonomous vehicle developer TuSimple completed its first solo truck ride on a public road in late 2021. The technology still needs improvement, but it’s getting closer and closer to realisation. Other developers like Tesla Motors already have basic self-driving capabilities in their vehicles. Edge computing is crucial for autonomous cars – sensor data must be processed immediately in order to operate successfully.
The Metaverse will also encourage the adoption of edge computing technologies. Rendering VR experiences requires fast and intensive processing power. The Edge is the clear solution to bringing this to a mainstream audience. VR headsets designed for live gaming experiences in the metaverse could soon make it the industry standard.
Combination of IoT and Edge
IoT technology has proliferated in recent years, particularly in industrial applications such as engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing. Organizations using more and more IoT devices need computing solutions to keep up with fast, continuous computing.
Edge computing can help companies get the most value from their IoT devices. By processing data from the edge, companies can act more quickly on data and optimize systems that rely on IoT, such as automated workflows.
What does our edge-driven future hold?
Edge computing doesn’t seem like a big shift for computing and computing. However, it is changing the way individuals and organizations interact with information and use their devices. Things can be processed and analyzed faster than ever before. In industry, this could even save lives.
Edge computing supports the development of new technologies such as autonomous driving and VR, as well as today’s booming technologies such as IoT. 5G is taking the edge to new heights, and edge computing is poised to revolutionize the future of technology.