Internet of Things (IoT)

Strategic Vision Team Update

Ajit Jillavenkatesa

NIST Program and Standards Coordination 

Offices 
The team 

Abdella Battou (ITL) Katerina Megas (ITL) Nada Golmie (CTL) Alison Kahn (CTL)

Al Wavering (EL) Thomas Roth (EL) Jeff Sherman (PML) Gretchen Greene (MML) 

Ajit Jillavenkatesa(PCO) 
The Imperative of IoT

Source: McKinsey Global Institute Study, The Internet of Things, Mapping The Value Beyond 

The Hype, 2015

Source: Stephen Shankland for CNET News, MWC 2015

Source: Homi Kharas for the Brookings Inst.Feb. 2017
Why now? 

“..The IoT itself will help 

digital transformations 

but will take 5 to 10 years 

to gain mainstream 

adoption..” Alfonso Velosa, 

VP Research, Gartner in 

Nov. 2016
NIST makes a difference

NIST’s proposed work in 

measurements and 

standards can accelerate 

realizing the value-add of 

IoT – shrinking the “Trough 

of Disillusionment”

Documentary standards

Measurements 

and research
Vision

Connectivity Interoperability

Trust 

(Security + 

Privacy)

Data for control and analytics

ELEMENTS OF OUR APPROACH

NIST is recognized for developing measurement solutions and implementation practices 

that will expedite large-scale adoption of interoperable and trustworthy IoT solutions, 

helping realize the full potential of connecting humans, systems and devices.
Our strategy:

• Measurements and research for development of IoT systems

– Develop measurement and research capabilities – computational, modeling and simulation capabilities, 

functional and performance measurement, sensor application and measurement, timing and synchronization 

capabilities, information-centric approaches to connectivity and information security, device usability, 

composability and system scalability, data and information analytics, etc.

• Tools for deployment and operation of IoT systems

– Testing and proofing tools and toolkits, application guidelines, test protocols, conformance testing tools, 

testbeds for functionality, interop, vulnerability, etc.

– Confidence in IoT deployments

• Strategic collaborations and partnerships

– Working across internal silos – leverage quantum and AI/Data efforts

– External partnerships to understand stakeholder needs, leverage external knowledge

– Inform and drive standards development 
What does success look like in five years? 

• NIST will have articulated, developed and implemented a seamless NIST-wide IoT related 

measurements research, standards and implementation guide program.

• Leveraging existing capabilities and body of work, NIST will have identified and moved to fill 

critical expertise gaps through hires and partnerships.

• Key internal NIST collaborations e.g., IoT program connections to the AI/Data and Quantum 

strategic priorities will be firmly in place and consensus on priorities and timelines established.

• External stakeholders will be adopting and using early NIST outputs as fundamental building 

blocks for their IoT implementations and providing feedback on strengths, limitations and 

future needs. 

• NIST will have established itself as a leader and contributor to the development of 

international consensus standards.

• NIST will be a leader within US government and international governmental groups for using 

science, data, and standards based approaches to developing policies impacting IoT
Questions for Discussion

• What aspects should NIST consider given the exponential differences between 

industry investments in IoT technologies and applications and NIST’s 

investments (current and future)?

• How should NIST support industry in a market place with externalities that 

clearly NIST cannot control?

• IoT technologies and its applications will impact society in deeply personal and 

individualized ways. How should NIST consider issues at the intersection of 

technology, society and governance in thinking about the work we do?

• What should a "whole of NIST" IoT program look like