So, if our model of representational government is kept intact, a decentralized interoperable infrastructure respecting ownership of data and things is inevitable. It is just a question of time. But how much time, and what technology should such an infrastructure be based on? There's a plethora of devices and communication protocols in use already. Do they have to be updated or become obsolete?

To solve some of these questions, IEEE formed a working group called the IEEE Devices and Systems Harmonization Working Group, which hosts a project named Standard for Harmonization of Internet of Things (IoT) Devices and Systems. The objectives of this group and project is to find the underlying common denominator between different technologies and propose a means to harmonize these technologies so they can interact in one unified network.