Top Challenges in Connected Device Development and How to Overcome Them (1)
                     Top Challenges in Connected Device 
Development and How to Overcome Them
Anil Janardhanan
Writes for Gadgeon.com, a technology partner for 
legacy modernization and 
medical device engineering, powered by high 
performing teams with product 
mindset and agility..
We live in an era where connectivity is at the heart of innovation. From 
smart homes to autonomous vehicles, connected world has made it 
possible for devices to communicate, collaborate, and deliver seamless 
experiences. This interconnectedness transcends traditional boundaries, 
enabling real-time data sharing, remote monitoring & control, enhanced 
automation, and smarter decision-making. At the centre of this 
transformation lies the Internet of Things (IoT), driving the evolution of 
connected devices and ecosystems.  However, developing these devices 
comes with a unique set of challenges. Let’s delve into the top hurdles 
developers face and explore strategies to overcome them.
Security and Privacy Concerns 
Connected devices are prime targets for cyberattacks due to their always-
on nature and access to sensitive data. A single vulnerability can 
compromise an entire ecosystem, putting user data and operational 
integrity at risk.
Solutions:
 Implement robust encryption: Use end-to-end encryption to protect 
data in transit and at rest.
 Regular firmware updates: Ensure devices can receive and install 
updates to address emerging vulnerabilities on a continuous basis.
 Adopt secure protocols: Utilize secure communication protocols like 
HTTPS, MQTT over TLS, and DTLS.
 Conduct security audits: Regular testing of devices for potential 
vulnerabilities through penetration testing and code reviews.
 Adopt secure coding practices: There are many coding practices that 
minimizes the security risks such as: ensuring all user inputs are 
validated and sanitized to prevent injection attacks, using strong 
authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication 
(MFA), not exposing detailed error messages to users, as they may 
reveal sensitive system information, and using trusted sources for 
third-party libraries and frameworks.
 Secure build and deployment processes: Automate security checks 
within the CI/CD pipeline. Ensure builds are signed and verified to 
prevent tampering. Use containerization to isolate applications and 
reduce attack surfaces.
 Adopt the principle of least privilege: Limit system and user 
permissions to the minimum required for functionality only.
Interoperability Challenges  
With a multitude of devices, platforms, and communication protocols in 
use, ensuring seamless interoperability can be daunting. Compatibility 
issues can hinder user experience and limit market reach.
Solution:
 Standardization: Adopt widely accepted standards and protocols like 
Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Bluetooth LE.
 APIs and SDKs: Provide robust APIs and SDKs to facilitate integration 
with other systems.
 Cloud Integration: Leverage cloud platforms to unify device 
communication and provide a central point for data exchange.
Power Management  
Many connected devices, especially wearables and sensors, rely on 
battery power. Prolonged battery life is critical for usability, but energy 
consumption can be a significant challenge.
Solution:
 Energy-Efficient Hardware: Choose components designed for low 
power consumption.
 Optimized Firmware: Implement power-saving modes and optimize 
code to minimize energy usage.
 Smart Data Transmission: Reduce the frequency and size of data 
transmissions to conserve power.
Scalability Issues
As the number of connected devices grows, maintaining performance, 
reliability, and responsiveness becomes increasingly complex. Poor 
scalability can lead to system failures and degraded user experience.
Solution:
 Cloud-Based Solutions: Use scalable cloud platforms to handle data 
storage and processing.
 Edge Computing: Offload some processing tasks to edge devices to 
reduce cloud dependency.
 Modular Architecture: Design systems that can scale horizontally by 
adding more nodes or resources.
Data Management
Connected devices generate vast amounts of data, creating challenges 
around storage, processing, and analysis. Poor data management can 
result in inefficiencies and missed opportunities for actionable insights.
Solution:
 Data Compression: Use algorithms to minimize storage requirements 
without compromising data integrity.
 Real-Time Analytics: Implement tools for real-time data analysis to 
derive actionable insights quickly.
 Data Governance: Establish clear policies for data ownership, access, 
and retention.
User Experience (UX) Design
A connected device’s success often hinges on its ease of use and overall 
user experience. Complex interfaces or unintuitive features will make the 
adoption of the connected solution difficult for users.
Solution:
 User - Centric design: Involve end-users in the design process to 
ensure the device meets their needs.
 Simplified setup: Streamline the onboarding process with intuitive 
interfaces and clear instructions.
 Consistent updates: Enhance user experience through regular 
updates that improve functionality and address feedback.
Regulatory and compliance requirements
Connected devices must comply with various regulations and standards 
depending on their industry and geographic location. Ensuring regulatory 
and industry standard compliance has mainly two parts. 
 The development process must be complying with regulatory standards – 
for example ISO 13485 for medical devices. To ensure compliance the 
development team is fully conversant with the prescribed regulatory or 
industry standards and the development process used. The second part is 
performing detailed testing and auditing to ensure the devices meets the 
expected regulatory conditions and standards. Overall, these are time-
consuming and complex set of activities.
Solution:
 Stay Informed: Keep up with relevant and latest regulations such as 
GDPR, HIPAA, FDA, or FCC requirements and make sure the 
development team is aware of the design and product specifications 
to ensure compliance. 
 Work with an expert partner: Work with partner companies who has 
the legal and compliance expertise to navigate the complex routes 
towards regulatory standard compliance and certifications.
  Documentation: Maintain thorough documentation of compliance 
measures and testing results.
Conclusion
While the development of connected devices presents significant challenges, each 
hurdle is surmountable with the right strategies and tools. By prioritizing security, 
ensuring interoperability, optimizing for power efficiency, and focusing on user 
experience, developers can create innovative devices that thrive in today’s 
competitive market. Embracing these solutions will not only address immediate 
challenges but also lay the groundwork for sustainable and scalable growth in the 
IoT ecosystem. Connect with Gadgeon today for all your connected 
device/solution development. 
Thank you for time in reading this article!