Securing Legacy Infrastructure for IoT Success

The Internet of Things (IoT) is unlocking new opportunities across all sectors. The challenge for executives is how to fully harness this potential.

With countless vendors and deployment models, choosing the right partner is daunting. James Sinton, head of Technology Services at IMS Evolve, emphasizes that companies must decide whether to purchase new IoT‑enabled hardware or tap into the data already generated by legacy equipment.

Rip and replace?

Most organisations shy away from the capital outlay of replacing legacy infrastructure with new IoT‑ready hardware. Instead, adding an IoT layer to existing assets presents a cost‑effective route. But how can this be done securely? The cold chain in food retail illustrates the dilemma.

Replacing every in‑store refrigerator, freezer, or delivery van is prohibitive for large retailers. Yet, IoT can directly enhance core objectives—improving produce quality, cutting waste, and elevating customer experience.

Moreover, legacy assets in food retail and other sectors contain vast, untapped data that can be critical for achieving these objectives when integrated with IoT.

Security remains paramount. Businesses must protect sensitive data and ensure all solutions meet tightening data‑protection regulations.

Legacy systems, being non‑connected, lack built‑in security, creating a roadblock. When they are wired to the corporate network, the risk of a breach escalates.

Edge computing offers a solution. By processing data at the source instead of shipping it to public or corporate networks, it can reduce exposure. But how does this enhance security?

Direct cloud connectivity exposes infrastructure and data to threats, inviting cybercriminals to exploit devices and the wider network, risking DDoS, MITM attacks, and breaches.

Edge computing places processing at the data source, enabling real‑time analysis and immediate protection. With on‑device computation, IoT deployments can embed security from the outset.

As IoT expands into mission‑critical sectors, safeguarding data is non‑negotiable. In healthcare, for instance, IoT‑enabled medical devices must incorporate edge computing to protect both device integrity and patient data.

Value, cost and security

During digital transformation, companies must balance value, cost, and security. IoT can unlock significant ROI, and legacy‑based IoT solutions deliver those gains without the staggering capital outlay.

Security is the decisive factor. If an IoT strategy omits robust protection, it is untenable. By integrating edge computing and embedding security from the start, organisations can pursue innovation without compromising safety.