Media Advisory

New “Internet of Things” institute at UF will host seminar, demonstrate IoT devices

The number of IoT devices in the world is approaching 15 billion – roughly two per human, all produced in the last decade. By 2020, that number will reach 50 billion. With this fast and furious growth and deployment of connected devices, security and privacy concerns have too frequently become an afterthought.

WHAT: Faculty from the recently launched Warren B. Nelms Institute for the Connected World will explain existing IoT vulnerabilities and outlining plans for a more secure, connected future during a special seminar, open to the public. Students from all departments of the college will also demonstrate IoT-related devices and research during a poster presentation.

WHO: UF engineering alumnus David Nelms, CEO and president of Discover Financial Services, will be available to talk about the new institute, which is named after his father.

Endowed term professor Yier Jin, first hire at the new Warren B. Nelms Institute for the Connected World, is renowned for demonstrating vulnerabilities in smart thermostats and other IoT devices. He will deliver the seminar and take questions from members of the press.

WHEN: Wed., April 12. Device demonstrations from 1:15-2:30 p.m., seminar from 2:30 – 3:30.

WHERE: Reitz Union, Rooms 3315 and 3320, University of Florida campus, Gainesville

CONTACT: Helen Goh, 352-294-7955, hgoh@eng.ufl.edu