By IT Brew Staff
less than 3 min read
Definition:
An edge device is any piece of hardware that exists near the edge of a network, such as a phone used by an employee or a data repository. Edge devices can analyze and process data before sending it to a server or device deeper in the network, reducing latency and boosting response time, especially on networks with huge scale and complexity.
Edge devices can include a variety of hardware, from sensors and routers to factory machines. For example, a robot on a factory floor might use its sensors to evaluate the health of a conveyor belt or tool, then process the data from those sensors before sending it along to a centralized server, where a data scientist could use it to create a predictive analysis of when factory components might need to be replaced.
There are a number of benefits to using edge devices in addition to reducing latency. For example, edge devices can help boost the amount of data collected and processed from the edges of a network, giving an organization a more complete picture of its universe. The edge computing provided by edge devices also reduces the amount of data being transmitted across a network, preventing bottlenecks and saving on operating costs.
There’s also a cybersecurity angle, as data processed by edge devices can be encrypted before being sent to a centralized server or data center, meaning fewer chances for cyberattackers to intercept sensitive data en route. This edge processing and encryption can help international organizations comply with local laws around privacy and security, such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
