NAVIGATING SECURITY FOR IOT

Cyber security and reliability should be the most important considerations in managing a connected device or eco-system, yet often companies developing IoT solutions, applications or hardware find they need support to navigate cyber security considerations and issues. Manufacturers have also tended to take the view that cyber security is down to the carrier network provider leaving security features to others to implement.

Assumptions are sometimes wrongly made that security and reliability are greater with fixed line services, rather than cellular. This can stem from concerns or knowledge gaps around cyber security, and the idea that transmitting data through a fixed wire is somehow safer, which isn’t true. Read on to find out why this assumption could be putting your devices at risk, and how Arkessa makes security one of the key benefits of cellular connectivity.

In the UK, BT’s announcement of the withdrawal of all support for private wire services, includinganalogue and KiloStream private circuits, by March 2020, has left critical UK industries searching for a replacement solution. Many companies rely on these services to control and monitor Critical National Infrastructure Services including gas, water and sewage systems, electricity, ATM cash points and traffic lights. BT has confirmed that there is no current plan to develop an equivalent replacement system.

Choosing a like-for-like fixed line replacement would be an impractical and costly option for many utility companies as most are setup to use analogue rather newer digital networks. Furthermore, budget constraints and ecosystems spanning millions of end-point devices make the switch out of a communication medium incredibly complex.

The utility sector is facing the challenge of how to react to the change, and many companies are turning to managed connectivity service providers like Arkessa for help and guidance on how to navigate the changing landscape.

Partnership with managed connectivity service providers like Arkessa offers access to many different communications networks delivered as a service model, keeping the cost of transition low, without compromising on security and reliability features:

• ‘Single pane of glass’ portal providing a coherent picture and management of the connected estate accessed through industry standard multi-factor authentication
• Private mobile networks (APNs) linked to a customer’s own network to enable private end-to-end control of their devices and applications – keeping sensitive data well away from the public internet and out of the reach of hackers
• Data use alerts and caps, and the potential to lock down SIM capabilities to reduce security risks
• ISO27001 accreditation in information security management
• Managed connectivity solutions covering connectivity, hardware and professional services to cover surveys, installation and commissioning activities
• 24-hour support to keep devices running when the unexpected happens

For more information on how Arkessa helps enterprises deliver secure and reliable network connectivity, please visit our Services page or get in touch by emailing connect@arkessa.com.