Theodor Geisel, more commonly known as Dr. Seuss, taught us important life lessons through his humorous rhymes and colorful illustrations. Not only one of the first authors to make reading fun, his books encouraged us all to explore our imaginations.
So today, on what would’ve been his 112th birthday, we take a look at how Dr. Seuss probably would’ve commented upon the burgeoning Internet of Things — courtesy of John Kindervag. The Forrester Research analyst decided to put a unique spin on what an interconnected world means for security, which of course, is to be read in the style of the iconic children’s books.
“Things Run Amok” by John Kindervag
We live in a world all interconnected
But how in the world will it get all protected?
Some bad boys and girls will try to infect it
Making the internet all broken-neck-edWhen Timmy B-Lee created the net
He just couldn’t see it would be such a threat:
“People are nice and they’ll do the right thing”
But, wow, it turns out that people are mean.When the web first began we could count each device
We could even count each device almost twice!
But there’s so many Things now connected you see,
It must really amaze ol’ Timmy B-Lee!All of the futurists cackle with glee
Now that we’ve given each Thing IP!
IP
IP
IP
IP
A magical protocol that sets all Things free!The Cat In the Hat had Thing 1 and Thing 2
Think of the mischief that those two could do!
But what if he had a Thing 3 and Thing 4?
More mischief they’ll add as we add more and more!Soon we’ll be so exceedingly Thinged,
It seems that the darn Things have grown wings!
A Thing-zillion of these will drive us all crazy
So we better make sure we don’t all get lazy!“What is a Thing?” I hear you dare ask.
The effort of answering has become quite a task!
A Thing is something that’s real I would think
That whirls or spins; it moves or it blinks!A Thing has a tiny computer that talks
With other Things, or even humans that walk.
Maybe you control your Thing from your phone
And manage your Thing when you’re not at home!Some of your Things I’m sure you will wear
Wrapped on your arm or stuck in your hair!
Some wish so hard for Things they can drive,
Pushing bright buttons on a digital ride!Think of having Things fill your kitchen,
You’ll tap on your iPad to make dinner bitchin’!
Your fridge is a Thing that will keep your SPAM cold
But it will send SPAM out too, if the hackers gets hold!See hackers will look for things they can break
And then find some juicy data to take!
Your data they will then turn into cash
And your reputation they will turn into trash!This is the future of Things run amok
If all that you do is rely on your luck!
So put on your Thing hat and
Think,
Think,
Think,
Think!
And consider your Things that whirl, spin or blink!Carefully protect your things from all hackers
So that your company doesn’t get smackered!
It’s a whole different world than when Timmy B-Lee
Created the web world for you and for me!