# What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

> The Internet of Things (IoT) is an ecosystem of connected physical objects that combine computation with sensors or actuators to observe, communicate, or affect their environment.

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## Content

An IoT product may include the device, local gateway, companion application, network services, cloud platform, data stores, and administrative functions that deliver its purpose — not only the visible object.

IoT appears in homes, enterprises, cities, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and industry. Devices may connect directly or indirectly, operate with limited power or processing, and remain deployed longer than their software or supporting services are maintained.

### Key points

- **Physical interaction:** Sensors collect environmental or operational data, while actuators can change equipment or conditions; some devices perform both roles and may continue limited local operation when disconnected.
- **Ecosystem behavior:** Devices exchange data and commands with gateways, applications, platforms, users, and other devices, creating dependencies on identity, protocols, service availability, data handling, and supplier support.
- **Lifecycle considerations:** Acquisition should address ownership, interoperability, configuration, updates, vulnerability reporting, support duration, inventory, maintenance, safe failure, data deletion, transfer, and decommissioning.
- **Important limitation:** IoT has no universally enforced boundary or architecture. Network connectivity alone does not establish that a product is IoT, and calling something “smart” reveals nothing about its security, privacy, safety, interoperability, or continued support.

### Related terms

[IoT security](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/iot-security/>) · [IoT edge](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/iot-edge/>) · [Edge computing](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/edge-computing/>) · [Cyber-physical system (CPS)](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/cyber-physical-system/>) · [Operational technology (OT) security](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/operational-technology-security/>)

### Sources

[NIST IR 8259 Rev. 1, Foundational Cybersecurity Activities for IoT Product Manufacturers](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/ir/8259/r1/final) · [NIST SP 800-213, IoT Device Cybersecurity Guidance for the Federal Government](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/213/final) · [NIST IR 8228, Considerations for Managing IoT Cybersecurity and Privacy Risks](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/ir/8228/final)

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