Category Archives: IoT

IoT, News

Device Authority releases new version of IoT security platform with support for Microsoft Azure Sphere and security lifecycle management

Device Authority, a global leader in identity and access management (IAM) for the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced the latest version of its KeyScaler platform which includes enhanced device connectivity, secure data storage and support for Microsoft Azure Sphere.

In today’s evolving technology-driven world, security needs to be architected into IoT devices from the moment of inception and requires a robust foundation to deliver secure updates throughout the device lifecycle. Devices must have a strong Root of Trust (RoT) in the processors/systems and a mechanism to deliver signed and encrypted images either for production and/or for ongoing updates. This will enable secure production, protect against IP theft, detect device cloning, and help mitigate security breaches.

Azure Sphere brings together the best of Microsoft’s expertise in cloud, software and silicon to provide a security foundation and connectivity to create intelligent secure products and accelerate the adoption of IoT at scale. Device Authority’s KeyScaler platform has the ability to leverage this initial security foundation by enabling Azure Sphere devices to connect to KeyScaler and provide them with operational certificates to automate and secure device enrolment to any IoT platform. This extends the security suite to Azure with connectors to HSMs, CAs and IoT platforms for secure trusted IoT solutions.

“We’re delighted to work with the Azure Sphere team to help solve their customer’s challenges with security lifecycle management. Today’s KeyScaler release builds further on our technology integrations and support for Microsoft – now with functionality to automate certificate management for Azure Sphere devices. These devices need to connect to different constituents including Microsoft and non-Microsoft assets in operations. KeyScaler is a key component in this ecosystem to extend the trust and automation required,” said Darron Antill, CEO of Device Authority.

Additionally, this KeyScaler release also expands on the previously announced HSM Access Controller solution with a secure data repositories feature. This enables customers to centrally and securely store sensitive data and use policies to control access to that data.

This release also includes control panel updates, improved device connectivity support, along with new logging and reporting features. The release will be available to existing customers from Monday, September 21st.

Join Microsoft and Device Authority for a webinar on October 21st to learn more about security lifecycle management for the IoT.

AI, Digital Transformation, Industry News, IoT

IBM and Verizon Business to Collaborate on 5G and AI Solutions at the Enterprise Edge

Verizon Business (NYSE: VZ) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced they are entering into a collaboration to work together on 5G and edge computing innovation to help enable the future of Industry 4.0. The companies plan to combine the high speed and low latency of Verizon’s 5G and Multi-access Edge Compute (MEC) capabilities, IoT devices and sensors at the edge, and IBM’s expertise in AI, hybrid multicloud, edge computing, asset management and connected operations.

Many industrial enterprises are today seeking ways to use edge computing to accelerate access to near real-time, actionable insights into operations to improve productivity and reduce costs. To address this need, the first solutions planned from this collaboration are to be mobile asset tracking and management solutions to help enterprises improve operations, optimise production quality, and help clients enhance worker safety.

For these initial solutions, the two companies plan to leverage Verizon’s wireless networks, including Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband (UWB) network, and Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) capabilities, alongside Verizon’s ThingSpace IoT Platform and Critical Asset Sensor solution (CAS). These will be jointly offered with IBM’s market-leading Maximo Monitor with IBM Watson and advanced analytics. The combined solutions could help clients detect, locate, diagnose and respond to system anomalies, monitor asset health and help predict failures in near real-time.

IBM and Verizon are also working on potential combined solutions for 5G and MEC-enabled use cases such as near real-time cognitive automation for the industrial environment. Edge computing’s decentralised architecture brings technology resources closer to where data is generated – i.e., where devices are located in an industrial site – this can help decrease lags in response time and increase processing speeds and reliability. 5G’s low latency, high download speeds and capacity can increase the number of devices that can be supported within the same geographic area, and the ability for organisations to interact with those devices in near real-time, with computing power in the proximity of the device.  This could mean that innovative new applications such as remote control robotics, near real-time cognitive video analysis and plant automation may now be possible.

“The industrial sector is undergoing unprecedented transformation as companies begin to return to full-scale operations, aided by new technology to help reduce costs and increase productivity,” said Bob Lord, Senior Vice President, Cognitive Applications, Blockchain and Ecosystems, IBM. “Through this collaboration, we plan to build upon our longstanding relationship with Verizon to help industrial enterprises capitalise on joint solutions that are designed to be multicloud ready, secured and scalable, from the data center all the way out to the enterprise edge.”

“This collaboration is all about enabling the future of industry in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Tami Erwin, CEO, Verizon Business. “Combining the high speed and low latency of Verizon’s 5G UWB Network and MEC capabilities with IBM’s expertise in enterprise-grade AI and production automation can provide industrial innovation on a massive scale and can help companies increase automation, minimise waste, lower costs, and offer their own clients a better response time and customer experience.”

Verizon and IBM also plan to collaborate on potential joint solutions to address worker safety, predictive maintenance, product quality and production automation.

Cleaning & Facilities Management, IoT

InnuScience takes the lead with its IoT product monitoring system

Fast-growing InnuScience believes it is the first cleaning product manufacturer in the UK to launch an Internet of Things (IoT) based product monitoring system.

Its system – Connected Cleaning – works by monitoring product usage, which is then reported on a monthly basis against the budget per site. A key benefit of this system is to allow the proactive management of any deviations from budget that could potentially occur.

InnuScience, now an established global leader in commercial cleaning systems based on biotechnology, can achieve the upfront results of strong chemical products by using biological actives – fermentation extracts, enzymes and microbes – to create a residual cleaning action that boosts standards.

The industry leader prides itself on:

  • Performance: Connected Cleaning offers a superior performance on porous surfaces – such as natural stones, tile grout and safety flooring – as the actives penetrate the micro pores and extract the dirt.
  • Competitive Pricing: The cost in use of Connected Cleaning can be from as little as two pence per litre. InnuScience’s products are competitively priced compared to conventional cleaning products, ruling out the need to spend big to go green, as has been the case in the past.
  • Respecting the Planet: InnuScience insists on all of its products being environmentally-friendly with ultimate biodegradability of 99.99 per cent – according to OECD test 301 – being standard. In addition to these stringent internal standards, all the company’s cleaning products are either Ecologo or Ecolabel certified.
  • Safety: InnuScience’s cleaning products are not classified as hazardous – and in their diluted form they are not even classified, thus minimising any unwanted Health and Safety risks.
  • Passionate Service: A National Support Team is on standby to offer a proactive approach by connecting cleaning, monitoring product usage and slashing costs.

A router integrated into InnuScience’s dispensing equipment communicates product usage data back to the company via Wi-Fi or 4G. InnuScience is then able to issue simple customer reports in a traffic light format, indicating if product usage is in line with budget. The sophisticated system can also flag up other metrics such as usage diagnostics and empty product warnings.

This efficient procedure allows InnuScience to adopt a proactive approach and ensure that clients never run out of products. The dispenser can be accessed remotely to take corrective action where necessary.

Nick Winstone, UK Managing Director of InnuScience, said:

“InnuScience is passionate about providing high performance, responsible products that leave lasting impressions, so that you can go green without compromising the quality of your cleaning. Our revolutionary biotechnology products offer superior performance and unrivalled value for money. They are also planet conscious and people friendly.

“Technology has the ability to transform the way we clean and the way we control the budgets around cleaning product spend. By monitoring our customer spend on cleaning products we can ensure that savings are being delivered and that product usage is optimal per customer site.”

InnuScience UK, based in Milton Keynes, is the youngest and fastest-growing of the top 15 manufacturers in the country supplying biotechnology-based cleaning products to the Facilities Management, Building, Hospitality and Care Sectors.

The InnuScience UK range of professional cleaning products cover the needs of the most prestigious public sectors, education, restaurants, hotels, stations, airports, healthcare and retail contracts, and include cleaners and degreasers, maintenance products, industrial cleaners, odour eliminators, laundry products and floor care.