UPSC Prelims 2019 CSAT Paper II · Q21 of 79 Comprehension medium

Passage

Directions for the following 8 (eight) items : Read the following six passages and answer the items that follow each passage. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only. Passage - 1 Low-end IoT (Internet of Things) devices are cheap commodity items : addressing security would add to the cost. This class of items is proliferating with new applications; many home appliances, thermostats, security and monitoring devices and personal convenience devices are part of the IoT. So are fitness trackers, certain medical implants and computer-like devices in automobiles. The IoT is expected to expand exponentially — but new security challenges are daunting.

Which one of the following statements is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage ?

  1. (a) Development of enabling technologies in India can be a big boost to its manufacturing sector.
  2. (b) India is not yet fully ready to adopt IoT in view of the imminent security challenges.
  3. (c) Life becomes more comfortable with the development of cheap low-end IoT devices.
  4. (d) As we go digital, we must recognise the huge threat to Internet security from some IoT devices. ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• The passage states that low-end IoT devices are cheap commodity items where addressing security would add to the cost, implying security is often neglected or insufficient in this class of devices.

• It notes that the IoT is expected to expand exponentially, which means the volume of these potentially insecure devices will grow significantly.

• The text explicitly mentions that 'new security challenges are daunting' in the context of this exponential expansion.

• Therefore, the logical inference is that the proliferation of these devices, as we go digital, poses a significant threat to internet security due to the inherent security challenges of low-end hardware.

• Option (d) correctly synthesizes the link between the digital expansion of IoT and the resulting security threats mentioned in the text.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) Development of enabling technologies in India can be a big boost to its manufacturing…
The passage does not mention India, enabling technologies, or the manufacturing sector, making this inference unsupported by the text.
(b) India is not yet fully ready to adopt IoT in view of the imminent security challenges.
The passage does not state that India is unready; it discusses general security challenges of low-end IoT devices without referencing national readiness or adoption status.
(c) Life becomes more comfortable with the development of cheap low-end IoT devices.
While the passage lists convenience devices, it does not make a general claim that life becomes more comfortable, nor does it link comfort to the security issues discussed.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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