Definition[]
Ubiquitous interconnectivity refers to the ability of myriad devices to communicate with each other seamlessly.
Overview[]
Ubiquitous interconnectedness — first exhibited by the Internet and further extended in local area networks, wide area networks, and wireless and hybrid networks — has generated whole new industries, rejuvenated productivity in older ones, and opened new avenues for discourse and education and an unprecedented era of collaborative science and engineering discovery worldwide.
Unfortunately, ubiquitous interconnectivity provides the primary conduit for exploiting vulnerabilities on a widespread basis. Despite efforts in recent years to add security components to computing systems, networks, and software, the acts of a hostile party – whether a terrorist, an adversary nation, organized crime, or a mischievous hacker – can propagate far and wide, with damaging effects on a national or international scale.