Mobility and IoT in 2026: Supporting a Distributed Workforce
For most organizations, the days of everyone working on site at the downtown company headquarters are long gone. Now, it’s far more common to see a distributed workforce. This operating model allows employees to work from various locations, often collaborating asynchronously and across time zones. At the center of it all: mobility and a connected internet of things (IoT). Enabling a distributed workforce, though, isn’t just about giving employees laptops and mobile access to shared drives in the cloud. It requires a coordinated strategy that securely connects people, devices, and data. The Rise of the Distributed Workforce It’s well documented that since the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations have shifted from centralized office environments to hybrid and fully remote models. Today’s workforce largely expects to work from anywhere and to be able to log in outside of the traditional 9-5. Likewise, a global customer base expects rapid resolutions and multiple ways to contact service providers. Businesses depend on continuous connectivity to maintain productivity and deliver customer value. Traditional IT models, however, are really designed for a centralized office location. They don’t take into account personal devices, public Wi-Fi networks, or multiple internet service providers servicing different locations. Why Mobility and IoT Are Foundational in 2026 Twenty years ago, mobility meant having a smartphone or logging into your work email from home. Now, mobility encompasses a full ecosystem of connected devices, applications, and experiences that enable work to happen anywhere. At the same time, IoT adoption has accelerated across industries. From sensors and wearables to connected machinery and smart infrastructure, businesses are increasingly wanting to support operating decisions with real-time data, but they often lack the visibility to make efficient, strategic decisions at scale. A connectivity strategy is a layer above the devices and services to plan and optimize enterprise-wide operations and proactively address challenges. Managing Connected Networks for Distributed Workforces Supporting a distributed workforce requires not only connectivity but also intelligent network management across a highly fragmented environment. Connectivity Strategy Across Locations and Devices Modern enterprises typically rely on a mix of fiber, cable, wireless, and cellular networks to support employees and IoT devices across multiple locations. Without a unified strategy, these networks often operate in silos, leading to inconsistent performance, coverage gaps, and increased operational complexity. For example, a branch office might notice that Teams calls load slowly, but the issue doesn’t get resolved because the IT team’s dashboard only shows the health of the corporate headquarters internet connection. Or, perhaps older equipment at a retail store has misconfigured security policies that go unnoticed, creating blind spots and vulnerabilities in the network. A well-designed connectivity approach ensures: SD-WAN and SASE for Network Performance and Security As networks become more distributed, traditional architectures struggle to keep up. SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) enables organizations to intelligently route traffic across multiple connections, improving performance and reducing latency. SASE (Secure Access Service Edge), meanwhile, integrates networking and security into a unified framework—ensuring secure access regardless of where users or devices are located. Together, these technologies: Mobility and IoT Lifecycle Management Managing a growing ecosystem of mobile and IoT devices is a significant challenge. From provisioning and deployment to monitoring and maintenance, organizations need visibility and control over every device connected to their network. Effective lifecycle management includes: Without this level of oversight, device sprawl can quickly lead to inefficiencies, downtime, and security risks. Expense Management and Vendor Coordination One of the most overlooked challenges in distributed environments is managing telecom and mobility expenses. Multiple providers, contracts, and billing structures often create unnecessary administrative overhead, and your company may end up paying for redundant service capabilities, all while losing any negotiating leverage to get a discounted rate for multiple sites. By centralizing vendor management and implementing technology expense management strategies, organizations can: This not only reduces costs but also improves operational clarity. Integrating Cloud, CX, and Cybersecurity Connectivity doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It directly impacts cloud performance, customer experience, and security. A modern network strategy must align with cloud environments to ensure reliable access to applications and data, customer and employee experience (CX) to minimize latency and disruptions, and cybersecurity frameworks to protect users, devices, and data at every layer. When these elements are integrated, organizations can deliver seamless, secure experiences across their entire ecosystem. Security Challenges in a Hyper-Connected Workforce As mobility and IoT expand, so does the attack surface. Every connected device represents a potential entry point for cyber threats. Distributed environments make it harder to enforce consistent security policies and monitor activity across the board. To address these challenges, organizations must adopt a proactive security approach: Security can no longer be an afterthought—it must be embedded into the network itself. Business Benefits of Mobility and IoT Integration When properly implemented, mobility and IoT unlock significant business value. Organizations can achieve: These benefits translate directly into competitive advantage. Industry Use Cases Driving Adoption Mobility and IoT are transforming industries across the board. Field Services and Logistics Real-time tracking, route optimization, and connected devices enable field teams to operate more efficiently and respond faster to changing conditions. Healthcare and Remote Monitoring Connected medical devices and remote monitoring solutions improve patient outcomes while reducing the need for in-person visits. Retail and Smart Operations IoT-enabled inventory tracking and in-store analytics help retailers optimize operations and enhance the customer experience. How SOLUS Tech Enables Distributed Workforce Success Navigating the complexity of mobility, IoT, and connectivity requires more than technology—it requires the right strategy. SOLUS takes an advisory-led approach to helping organizations design and manage their connected environments. By remaining vendor-agnostic, SOLUS ensures clients get the best-fit solutions across: Beyond implementation, SOLUS provides ongoing support to optimize performance, manage expenses, and align technology with business goals. The result is a more connected, efficient, and resilient workforce. By integrating mobility, IoT, and intelligent network strategies, organizations can create a foundation for long-term success.
Securing the Connected Enterprise: Cybersecurity Challenges in IoT
The modern enterprise is no longer confined to offices, data centers, or even cloud environments. Today’s business operations extend into warehouses, hospitals, vehicles, factory floors, and retail spaces, all powered by a growing ecosystem of connected devices. From smart sensors monitoring temperature and humidity to industrial control systems managing logistics and energy usage, these connected assets make up what’s known as the Internet of Things (IoT). The upside is undeniable: greater efficiency, faster data-driven decisions, and operational visibility that wasn’t possible before. But as connectivity expands, so does exposure. Each device added to the network — whether it’s a connected camera, HVAC system, or wireless router — represents a potential entry point for cyber threats. For many organizations, IoT has quietly become one of the most complex and least understood components of their cybersecurity strategy. This article explores the evolving threat landscape surrounding IoT, what’s driving the risks, and how businesses can secure their connected enterprise heading into 2026. 1. The Expanding Attack Surface Industry analysts estimate that more than 75 billion connected devices will be online by 2026, a 250% increase in less than a decade. These devices span every sector: smart meters in utilities, wearable devices in healthcare, digital signage in retail, connected sensors in logistics, and more. The problem? Most IoT devices weren’t designed with security as a primary objective. They’re built for performance, cost efficiency, and ease of deployment — not necessarily for defense. Many run on outdated firmware, lack encryption, or use default credentials that are never changed. This creates a massive attack surface. In fact, Check Point Research found that IoT-related attacks grew by 41% in 2024, with most originating from botnets that exploited unsecured devices. Once compromised, these devices can be used to infiltrate larger enterprise systems or serve as launching points for ransomware campaigns. In traditional IT environments, security teams can monitor and patch endpoints, servers, and applications. In IoT environments, they’re often dealing with thousands of small, distributed devices that may be unmanaged or invisible to existing tools. That’s a dangerous blind spot. 2. The Visibility Problem The single biggest challenge in IoT cybersecurity is visibility. Many organizations don’t know how many connected devices are operating on their network — let alone where they are or what they’re doing. Without this visibility, it’s nearly impossible to enforce consistent policies or detect anomalous behavior. For example: These examples aren’t theoretical, they happen every day. Gartner reports that 25% of enterprise cyber incidents now involve IoT devices that the IT team wasn’t even aware existed. To address this, forward-thinking companies are investing in automated device discovery and classification tools that map all assets across the network. When combined with network segmentation and zero-trust frameworks, this visibility becomes the foundation for a proactive defense strategy. 3. Why Traditional Cybersecurity Doesn’t Work for IoT Traditional cybersecurity models were built around endpoints (laptops, desktops, phones) and centralized infrastructure. IoT breaks those boundaries. Devices can be anywhere — embedded in machinery, installed in vehicles, or operating over public networks. Standard antivirus or endpoint protection tools don’t apply, and patching cycles are often inconsistent or nonexistent. Many IoT devices have no operating system access, making it impossible to deploy agents or updates. This is why IoT security requires a network-based approach rather than a device-based one. It’s about monitoring communication patterns, enforcing segmentation, and identifying abnormal behaviors at the traffic level. A Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) is especially powerful in this environment. It assumes every device and connection is untrusted until verified. By limiting each device’s access to only the resources it needs, and continuously authenticating it, organizations can drastically reduce their attack surface. 4. Key Threats Facing Connected Enterprises The IoT threat landscape is diverse, but several patterns are emerging as the most prevalent and dangerous: a. Device Hijacking and Botnets Attackers frequently exploit weak passwords and open ports to hijack devices, adding them to massive botnets that can launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. The 2024 “Mozi” botnet variant, for instance, infected thousands of routers and DVRs worldwide. b. Ransomware Targeting Operational Technology Ransomware groups have begun targeting connected systems in manufacturing and logistics. By encrypting IoT gateways or disabling sensors, attackers can halt production lines or disrupt supply chains — creating massive financial and reputational damage. c. Data Privacy and Compliance Risks IoT devices often collect sensitive data, from patient vitals in healthcare to location data in logistics. Failing to secure this information can trigger violations of HIPAA, GDPR, and other privacy regulations, with fines reaching millions of dollars. d. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Many IoT devices are sourced through complex global supply chains. Compromised firmware or insecure third-party integrations can introduce backdoors into otherwise secure environments. 5. Best Practices for Securing IoT Environments Protecting the connected enterprise isn’t about locking everything down, it’s about strategic control. Here are five best practices every organization should adopt before expanding its IoT footprint in 2026: 1. Gain Full Device Visibility Implement tools that automatically discover and classify every connected device — IT, OT, and IoT alike. Continuous inventory is the cornerstone of effective risk management. 2. Segment the Network Separate IoT devices from critical systems. For example, smart lighting shouldn’t be on the same network as financial applications. Micro-segmentation and VLANs can contain potential breaches. 3. Enforce Strong Authentication and Encryption Mandate unique credentials for all devices, disable default passwords, and use encrypted communication protocols (TLS, SSL, WPA3). Even small steps here can eliminate the easiest attack paths. 4. Keep Firmware and Software Updated Outdated firmware is one of the top vectors for IoT exploits. Create a structured patching policy — even if it means coordinating with vendors — to ensure timely updates. 5. Adopt a Zero Trust Mindset Assume compromise and validate every request. Identity-driven access, continuous monitoring, and behavioral analytics should be integrated into your broader cybersecurity framework. 6. Real-World Example: IoT Risk in Healthcare Consider a regional healthcare network that implements smart medical devices to improve patient monitoring across multiple facilities. Within months, performance improved,