Towards SDG-9: An IoT Architecture for Converging OT-IT in Industry 4.0 and Digital Economy Era

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) has the capacity to change the world in similar way as Internet. IoT is a technology
that has potential to change the industry landscape by connecting smart devices. In the current era of cheap
computing resources, unlimited bandwidth and 24/7 internet-based connection of devices, the adoption of IoT by
the developing countries like Nigeria has the prospect of improving all sectors of economy like agriculture,
industry, health etc. The target of the technology is to impart on the companies’ competitiveness and betterment
of citizens’ quality of life but security of the technology remains a challenge. Hence, this paper focuses on the
development of a security-enhanced architecture that merges the two main components of IoT (information
technology and operation technology) towards achieving the 9th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-9) as
formulated by the United Nation. The paper shows that to achieve SDG-9 in the digital economy era of Industry
4.0, adequate attention should be paid to the implementation of IoT secured architecture by the developing
countries. The paper concludes by identyfing two major factors (technical and funding) that serve as barriers to
achieving SDG-9 and subsequently proffer solutions.