Organizations are increasingly leveraging data to make day to day decisions across all business functions. But centralised repositories and data processing are becoming obsolete as transporting data back and forth is costly and time consuming with added latency and security challenges.
“Data has become the engine of progress. But centralised repositories for data are becoming obsolete and legacy approaches for accessing insights will not work for future minded organisations. Forward thinking organisations should be planning at the edge to keep data closer to where it’s created. Those that do not invest in the edge risk being left behind by these new environments.”
Fred Lherault, CTO Emerging, Pure Storage
Enterprises, particularly those engaged with IoT devices, real-time analytics, and mission-critical applications find edge computing attractive for its ability to improve response times, reduce data transfer expenses, and strengthen privacy and security measures. Edge locations can be managed simply with automation including infrastructure-as-code to deploy and maintain across many sites easily, no matter if they are edge or centrally located. A distributed analytics platform can then analyse data from anywhere without bringing it back to a central location first to speed up time to insight and add a further level to differentiation.
“Autonomous vehicles need to aggregate, process and analyse enormous amounts of data from multiple sources in real time, sending data to a remote data center isn’t an option. Vehicles need to make decisions about navigation and communicate with other vehicles, all while in motion. Onboard edge technology allows autonomous vehicles to perform real-time analysis on location, speed, and other vehicle-related data to determine the best routes and avoid traffic congestion.” Fred Lherault, CTO Emerging, Pure Storage
“Data has become the engine of progress. But centralised repositories for data are becoming obsolete and legacy approaches for accessing insights will not work for future minded organisations. Forward thinking organisations should be planning at the edge to keep data closer to where it’s created. Those that do not invest in the edge risk being left behind by these new environments,” Fred Lherault, CTO Emerging, Pure Storage.
According to Gartner, by 2025, 75% of all data processing will take place at the edge. It’s clear that now is the time to invest in edge computing capabilities. Edge computing is becoming mainstream, fueled by the digital transformation pursuits of organizations. The rollout of 5G has opened doors to a new reality where edge is not just an option, but a necessity.
Edge computing already has a host of applications and the potential to transform processes and entire industries. Further, data volumes are exploding, as 5G enables lightning speeds and even more connected devices. While frontrunners in the industry are applying edge computing today, it is poised for immense growth in the future. 5G is enabling the transmission of critical control messages and empowering devices to make autonomous decisions.
This last-mile technology connects the edge to the internet and supports edge devices with the appropriate software-defined network configurations. This synergy not only accelerates transactions but also generates insights for smarter urban mobility management, making it a driving force in advancing industries like transportation and smart cities in India.
Creating Value with Edge Computing
Edge computing leverages distributed computing to bring computation and data storage closer to the sources of data generation, such as IoT devices and sensors, as opposed to relying solely on centralized cloud servers. By processing data at the edge of the network, businesses can extract valuable insights in real-time and take prompt decision-making.
The edge computing adoption momentum is receiving a boost with different architectural approaches aligned with specific use cases to improve resource management, decrease latency, improve efficiency, and optimize data processing. Adding middle nodes, or “fog nodes,” between edge devices and the cloud, this approach is known as fog computing, wherein the fog nodes offer a more hierarchical and distributed architecture by performing data processing and analysis closer to the edge.
In multi-access edge computing (MEC) primary goal is to enable edge computing in mobile network infrastructure, such as cellular base stations. By processing data closer to the network edge, this design offers low-latency services for mobile consumers.
“These pilots, which were frequently of a smaller scale, were designed to learn how edge computing could increase the speed at which data is processed, decrease latency, and boost overall effectiveness. Some companies had progressed past the pilot stage and had begun incorporating edge computing into their operational settings.”
Avinash Gujje, Practice Head – Infrastructure, Cloud Box Technologies
“With MEC architecture, certain processing and decision-making are centralized at particular edge nodes as opposed to decentralized edge. These deployment models explain how information and computation move between cloud and edge devices. The cloud-to-edge methodology starts with data collection and processing, and then pushes pertinent insights or actions back to edge devices,” says Avinash Gujje, Practice Head – Infrastructure at Cloud Box Technologies, a leading IT infrastructure solution provider in the Middle East.
Many companies did pilot programs to examine the viability and advantages of edge computing for specific use cases. “These pilots, which were frequently of a smaller scale, were designed to learn how edge computing could increase the speed at which data is processed, decrease latency, and boost overall effectiveness. Some companies had progressed past the pilot stage and had begun incorporating edge computing into their operational settings,” says Cloud Box’s Gujje.
“To process data more quickly and make decisions in real time, this required placing edge nodes or devices in diverse areas. Real-time analytics, video surveillance, industrial automation, and remote monitoring are some use cases. Due to the extensive usage of technologies, it is very difficult for businesses to analyze the precise edge data and what stage of edge data would be advantageous for business. The maturity is still in the pilot and discussion stage,” adds Gujje.
“If you take video surveillance, there are many conventional systems that rely of human observation being used today. The reality is that smart devices have proven to help with early detection, data creation and therefore assisting pro-active decision making.”
Rudie Opperman, Engineering and Training Manager, EMEA at Axis Communications
Demand for edge computing capabilities is being driven by the increasing infusion of intelligent devices into business and everyday life. Organizations are transforming their processes and workflows to accommodate intelligent machines and interconnected devices. “If you take video surveillance, there are many conventional systems that rely of human observation being used today. The reality is that smart devices have proven to help with early detection, data creation and therefore assisting pro-active decision making,” says Rudie Opperman, Engineering and Training Manager, EMEA at Axis Communications.
Sectors like manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, smart cities, agriculture, and entertainment are set to be key drivers of edge computing. Imagine real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance in manufacturing, autonomous vehicles transforming transportation, telemedicine enhancing healthcare access, smart infrastructure optimizing cities, precision farming revolutionizing agriculture, and immersive experiences in entertainment through technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality. These sectors will shape the future of edge computing, ushering in a new era of innovation and connectivity.
“Autonomous vehicles need to aggregate, process and analyse enormous amounts of data from multiple sources in real time, sending data to a remote data center isn’t an option. Vehicles need to make decisions about navigation and communicate with other vehicles, all while in motion. Onboard edge technology allows autonomous vehicles to perform real-time analysis on location, speed, and other vehicle-related data to determine the best routes and avoid traffic congestion,” Fred Lherault, CTO Emerging, Pure Storage.
For instance, edge computing will support operations of smart cities by monitoring traffic, routing vehicles and better planning road layout, constructions, public events and rallies. Similarly, offshore and drilling industries require edge computing to support personnel at remote locations with operational support such as employee safety, asset management and calculations in drilling operations.
“Data exposure is more likely if adequate security measures are not in place since data processing is occurring closer to the edge. Access to edge devices without authorization could result in the compromise of private information. It is possible to intercept and eavesdrop on data sent between edge devices and central systems, such as the cloud.”
Avinash Gujje, Practice Head – Infrastructure, Cloud Box Technologies
State of Edge Computing in Middle East
The Middle East’s deployment of 5G technology acts as a catalyst for the adoption of edge computing. The synergy between edge computing and 5G’s high speeds and minimal latency holds immense potential, especially for applications like IoT, industrial automation, and autonomous vehicles. This combination serves to accelerate the integration of edge computing into the Middle Eastern landscape, empowering organizations to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and thrive in the digital era.
In the Middle East, edge computing adoption is driven by oil and energy sector where operations are vast and expansive and network bandwidth might be scarce or costly. By processing data locally and transmitting only essential information to central clouds, this approach alleviates network burdens and reduces data transfer expenses. “Conventional data center setups may face challenges in establishing and maintaining infrastructure across expansive and remote Middle Eastern territories, such as deserts and oil fields. Edge computing stands out as a viable answer, enabling localized processing even in demanding conditions,” says Gujje, of Cloud Box Technologies.
The utilization of localized data processing at the edge not only empowers organizations to effectively manage sensitive data but also ensures compliance with local data protection regulations. As the Middle East undergoes a digital transformation, the need for a scalable and efficient IT infrastructure has become paramount. Edge computing plays a pivotal role in this evolution by facilitating distributed computing closer to end users and optimizing the performance of cloud applications.
At the same time, video analytics is picking up pace with IP-based cameras to strengthen physical security accelerating the leap towards IoT technologies and modern open-platform video management systems (VMS). Video-analytics applications is also helping to design and implement the goals of smart cities which includes optimizing operations, enhancing public safety, and improving maintenance.
“In smart cities, the flow of vehicles and people can be integrated into the smart surveillance devices and certain conditions can be pre-determined and flagged, giving authorities and law enforcement the ability to act quickly and decisively. Similarly, in process monitoring, when integrated into the smart surveillance devices, add a layer of confirmation and verification and can detect anomalies early and gives operators the ability to verify, almost in real time, and prevent catastrophic failures,” says Opperman, Axis Communications.
The need for agility and improved functionality in rapidly onboarding new services is driving the adoption of distributed cloud architectures that facilitate computing at the edge. For example, banks may use edge computing to analyze ATM video feeds in real-time, to increase consumer safety.
Managing Privacy and Security
As the combination of edge computing and IoT explodes, a key concern is the distributed nature of edge computing as edge computing breaks down the neat physical boundaries of the cloud data center. Moreover, as data volumes explode, risks of data exposure and privacy breaches start compounding. This means that organizations must focus on physical security and ensure data safety in transit.
“Data exposure is more likely if adequate security measures are not in place since data processing is occurring closer to the edge. Access to edge devices without authorization could result in the compromise of private information. It is possible to intercept and eavesdrop on data sent between edge devices and central systems, such as the cloud,” says Gujje.
To protect data in transit, encryption and secure communication protocols must be used. It takes a comprehensive strategy that includes network security, device security, data encryption, access controls, frequent audits, security awareness training, and collaboration between IT and security teams to address these security and privacy problems.
Yet edge computing’s adoption offers a strategic approach to tackle challenges related to data sovereignty. It offers an architecture that processes and retains data within national borders, in compliance with local regulations. This not only heightens data security by minimizing cross-border data flows, mitigating potential vulnerabilities and security risks but also aligns with the intensifying focus on data protection and privacy regulations.
Embracing the Future with Edge Computing
The edge computing market in Middle East is witnessing rapid growth driven by various factors such as the rise of IoT and the need for real-time analytics. In sectors such as healthcare and manufacturing, real-time data processing is crucial and edge computing’s proximity to data sources ensures minimal latency. The region’s urbanization and the need to achieve efficient traffic management, waste management, energy distribution and public safety is also propelling edge computing adoption.
Arguably, one of the biggest benefits of edge computing relates to security and data privacy wherein countries like the UAE and Saudi which have strict data residency regulations restrict the movement of data across national boundaries. As the Middle East marches towards new economic and developmental goals, the integration of edge computing is poised to accelerate its journey towards digital transformation. The synergy between region’s innovation drive and edge computing’s transformative capabilities paves the way for a future of boundless possibilities.
