HomeJean ThilmanyAutomation World Contributing WriterDataIndustrial Ethernet at the EdgeEthernet-enabled sensors are part of a growing movement to bring the Industrial Internet of Things all the way to the smallest edge devices in the automation system.IIoTBridging the IT and OT DivideFewer than 10 percent of companies have combined their IT and OT departments, according to a recent Automation World survey. But with integrated tools and common protocols coming to the fore, that could change.NetworksCommunication: Choosing the Right Tool for the JobAmong MQTT, OPC UA, RESTful APIs and other protocols and standards, which is the best to use for IIoT applications? The answer is yes.ControlNext-Gen Controllers: Secure by DesignIndustrial controllers are being redesigned with security in mind. But most automation suppliers still have to contend with their legacy control systems, relying primarily on network approaches to security.