An IoT hub is a centralized platform that facilitates communication between IoT devices and the cloud. It acts as a bridge, enabling devices to send and receive data securely. IoT hubs support multiple communication protocols like MQTT, AMQP, and HTTP to ensure compatibility with diverse devices. They manage device connectivity, monitor activity, and provide data routing to backend systems or applications. Additionally, IoT hubs often include features like authentication, data encryption, and integration with analytics tools. They are critical in scaling and managing IoT ecosystems, especially for industrial and smart home solutions.