IoT and Blockchain. A match made in heaven?

Industrial IoT, IoT Security

Article | July 12, 2023

IoT use cases span a variety of sectors and businesses. A typical Internet of Things (IoT) solution consists of a large number of heterogeneous IoT devices with sensors that generate data in a variety of formats at varying rates, which is then processed and analyzed to derive insights. In addition, IoT devices can connect to a network directly or through a gateway device, allowing them to communicate with one another and with cloud services and applications. Create a layered architecture An organization's IoT solution's architecture outlines its overall layout, including its physical components (such as sensors and actuators) and virtual components (like services and communication protocols). IoT system complexity can be managed by utilizing a modular strategy that divides the architecture into several layers and focuses on each tier separately. IoT architectures have a tendency to outsource work to the edges of IoT networks (where the physical devices connect to the cloud). This aids data-driven IoT applications by lowering latency, enhancing privacy, and lowering bandwidth costs. Devices layer The device layer components include physical sensors and actuators that link to IoT devices and the IoT devices themselves. Although sensors and actuators are often not considered "smart" devices, they frequently connect to the architectural elements with higher computing power, either directly or indirectly (with the aid of gateway devices). These devices often use over-the-wire protocols like Ethernet or wireless protocols like Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiFi, LTE, or RFID to transmit data. Edge layer The analytics and pre-processing services that are offered at the network's edge are included in the concept of the edge layer. This layer acts as a central integration point for subsequent layers (devices layer). For the upstream layers, it offers routing and device control features. In addition, this layer can be connected to pub-sub systems to convey events and listen in on them. The size and heterogeneity of the devices and connectivity involved make designing data-driven IoT solutions hard. This article discusses some techniques for creating safe, adaptable, and scalable IoT architectures.

Enterprise Iot

Article | July 20, 2023

Introduction Automation, interconnectivity, machine-learning, and real-time data are part of Industry 4.0, a new phase in the Industrial Revolution. Industry 4.0, which includes IIoT and smart manufacturing, combines physical production and operations with smart digital technologies. It creates a more holistic and linked environment for manufacturing and supply chain management organizations. In today's production environment, "automation" has a new, more advanced meaning than it has in the past. Industry 4.0 refers to the necessity of lean, efficient operations and the function of sustaining and improving production. In contrast, IIoT distinguishes manufacturing gadgets from consumer products that can connect wirelessly to internal networks and the internet. IIoT Powering the Fourth Industrial Revolution Manufacturing, logistics, oil and gas, transportation, mining, aviation, energy, and other industries use the IIoT. Its main goal is to improve operations, mainly through process automation and maintenance. IIoT capabilities improve asset performance and allow for improved maintenance management. The introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies marked a significant milestone in the human-machine relationship's history. I4.0 was first talked about in 2011. Since then, it has proliferated because of new technologies such as cyber-physical systems, IT/OT convergence, AI/ML, Blockchain, and AR/VR. Data is at the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the main reasons behind this. The IoT is making a significant contribution in making businesses smarter and improving their workflows. Moreover, more data is being made and used by connected devices than ever before, from the home to the factory. In order to thrive in the fourth industrial revolution, businesses must embrace new technologies. The general structure of IIoT applications is defined by standards-based industrial system architectures such as the Industrial Internet Consortium's Reference Architecture. Sensors and IoT devices, IoT middleware platforms, IoT gateways, edge/cloud infrastructures, and analytics applications are all part of the stack. The Future of the IIoT The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is primarily regarded as one of the most significant current and future trends influencing industrial companies. To comply with new rules, industries are rushing to upgrade their systems, machinery, and equipment. This is necessary to keep up with market volatility and deal with disruptive technologies. Safety, efficiency, and profitability have all improved dramatically in industries that have adopted IIoT. As IIoT technologies become more widely adopted, this tendency is projected to continue. Conclusion The fourth industrial revolution has drastically altered our perceptions of things in the workplace. At a rapid rate, capitalists are becoming more interested in sophisticated ideas. The way forward is to embrace existing and emerging technology throughout fundamental operations to unleash more enticing possibilities. It emphasizes the importance of comprehending the impact collaborative ecosystems can have as well as how they will become a major differentiator for generating value with a better-trained workforce.

Industrial IoT, IoT Security

Article | July 11, 2023

Explore the IoT tools for security and maintenance. These IoT monitoring tools addresses cyber security and privacy issues, catering to a various users including industrialists & individuals. With the proliferation of interconnected devices in the Internet of Things ecosystem, ensuring robust security measures has become crucial to protect against cyber threats. The complexity and diversity of IoT systems pose unique challenges, making thorough security testing an essential practice. To address these challenges, various IoT development tools have emerged that enable organizations to assess and mitigate vulnerabilities in their IoT deployments. In this article, explore the top ten tools to secure IoT and IoT testing, equipping professionals and organizations with the means to identify and address potential security weaknesses, thus bolstering the overall security posture of their IoT infrastructure. 1. AWS IoT Device Defender AWS IoT Device Defender is one of the security IoT management tools, designed to protect and manage IoT devices and fleets. Its auditing capabilities and continuous monitoring enable users to assess their IoT resources' security posture, identify vulnerabilities, and address potential gaps. By leveraging machine learning models or defining custom device behaviors, it can monitor and detect malicious activities, such as traffic from suspicious IP addresses or unusual connection attempts. The tool provides security alerts for failed audits or behavior anomalies, allowing users to mitigate potential risks quickly. Built-in actions facilitate security issue resolution, including device certificate updates, quarantine, and policy replacements. AWS IoT Device Defender offers automation for security assessments, identification of attack vectors, analysis of historical device behavior, and alarm notifications through various AWS interfaces. 2. Dynamic Application Security Testing Appknox offers two robust mobile application security solutions: Automated Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) and Penetration Testing (PT). With Automated DAST, users can assess the security of their mobile apps in real time while running in their operational environment. The solution provides access to real devices, allowing users to replicate real-life interactions and identify security vulnerabilities. On the other hand, Appknox's Penetration Testing solution delivers reliable and thorough security assessments by expert security researchers. Users can request a manual pentest effortlessly, and the skilled team analyzes apps to identify and eliminate potential threats. The process includes identifying the tech stack, analyzing the threat landscape, setting up breakpoints, testing responses, detecting bugs, and performing advanced threat exploits. 3. Enterprise IoT Security Enterprise IoT Security is a comprehensive Zero Trust solution designed to address IoT devices' security challenges in modern enterprises. It helps eliminate implicit trust and enforces zero-trust principles through least privilege access, continuous trust verification, and continuous security inspection. With this solution, organizations can quickly discover and assess every IoT device, easily segment and enforce the least privileged access, and protect against known and unknown threats. By simplifying operations, Enterprise IoT Security enables faster deployment, with a 15-time faster deployment than other solutions. The solution offers better and faster protection for IoT devices, delivering 70 times more security efficiency and 20 times speedier policy creation. 4. Azure Sphere Azure Sphere is a secure IoT platform offered by Microsoft that allows businesses to create, connect, and maintain intelligent IoT devices. It provides end-to-end security, from the silicon level to the operating system (OS) to the cloud. With Azure Sphere, organizations can securely connect, manage, and protect existing and new IoT devices. The platform offers over-the-air updates, integration with IoT platform services, and continuous security improvements. It helps businesses deploy real-time security patches, maintain device operations, and accelerate time to market. Azure Sphere incorporates essential security properties and offers comprehensive security and compliance. 5. Microsoft Defender for IoT Microsoft Defender for IoT is a comprehensive security solution that provides real-time asset discovery, vulnerability management, and threat protection for the Internet of Things and industrial infrastructure, including ICS/OT environments. It offers context-aware visibility into IoT and OT assets, enabling organizations to manage their security posture and reduce attack surfaces based on risk prioritization. With behavioral analytics, it detects and responds to attacks across IT and OT networks. Integrated with SIEM/SOAR and XDR tools, it delivers unified security and leverages threat intelligence for automatic response. Microsoft Defender for IoT is designed to meet the unique security needs of various industries and supports complete endpoint protection when combined with Defender for Endpoint. 6. IoT Security Forescout offers an IoT security solution that automates security measures and provides visibility for every device connected to the network. Their zero-trust approach ensures complete device visibility, proactive network segmentation, and least-privilege access control for IoT, OT, IoMT, and IT devices. The platform classifies and monitors devices in real time, identifies weak credentials, and enforces strong passwords. It also enables dynamic network segmentation and automates zero trust policy orchestration across multi-vendor environments. Forescout's solution efficiently manages asset inventory and device lifecycle and has been proven to scale for enterprise-level deployments. 7. ThingSpace The ThingSpace Platform for IoT offers a comprehensive set of iot tools and devices for developing and managing the lifecycle of IoT devices. It enables connectivity management at scale, allowing secure activation on the Verizon network and providing features to troubleshoot, locate, and manage IoT devices. Whether at the prototype stage or ready to scale for enterprise-level deployment, ThingSpace provides the necessary resources for IoT solution development and management. As a Magic Quadrant Leader for IoT Connectivity Services, ThingSpace offers solutions for software management, device readiness, and overall device lifecycle management. Businesses can collaborate with technology leaders through their Executive Briefing Program to achieve their specific goals and gain a competitive edge. 8. Verimatrix The Verimatrix Secure Delivery Platform offers a unified user experience by combining cybersecurity and anti-piracy services into a comprehensive cloud ecosystem. It provides media companies, content owners, streaming providers, and broadcast operators with a single pane of glass experience for securing content, applications, and devices. Key offerings include Streamkeeper Multi-DRM for cloud-based digital rights management, Verimatrix App Shield for zero code hardening of mobile applications, Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS) for real-time monitoring, and Streamkeeper Counterspy for cybersecurity and anti-piracy solutions. The platform also facilitates partner integrations, enabling seamless onboarding and revenue preservation. 9. Trustwave Trustwave's Managed IoT Security provides comprehensive solutions to secure the Internet of Things (IoT) and minimize the risk of compromise. With expertise from Trustwave SpiderLabs, it offers knowledge about network assets, identifies weaknesses in applications, servers, APIs, and cloud clusters, and enables secure IoT deployment with quick validation of fixes. This reduces the risk of compromised devices, which can lead to various threats, including DoS attacks, privacy violations, and data theft. Trustwave's services cater to IoT developers/manufacturers, offering product security reviews, testing, and incident readiness services. For IoT implementers, it provides managed security services and testing to safeguard deployments and associated data. 10. ARMIS Agentless Device Security Platform The ARMIS Agentless Device Security Platform supports implementing the Critical Security Controls(CIS) framework. Developed by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), these controls are periodically updated by a global community of experts. ARMIS aligns with the CIS Controls and provides a comprehensive set of security controls to address the framework's requirements. The platform caters to enterprises of all sizes and offers different implementation groups based on risk profile and available resources. With ARMIS, organizations can enhance their cybersecurity posture and implement the CIS Controls effectively. Final Thoughts Security is a major concern in IoT tools and software due to the proliferation of connected devices, the diverse and complex nature of IoT ecosystems, the need to protect data privacy and confidentiality, the lack of standardization, the long lifecycles of devices, and the distributed and scalable nature of IoT deployments. Addressing these concerns is crucial to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and ensure the integrity and privacy of IoT data. The IoT tools and technologies discussed in this article represent some of the top options for conducting comprehensive IoT security testing. By leveraging these tools, professionals and organizations can proactively identify and address vulnerabilities in their IoT systems, ensuring their data and devices' confidentiality, integrity, and availability. By incorporating these tools into their security practices, organizations can bolster their IoT security strategy and enhance their ability to protect against emerging threats in the dynamic IoT landscape.

Article | April 10, 2020

As development teams race to build out AI tools, it is becoming increasingly common to train algorithms on edge devices. Federated learning, a subset of distributed machine learning, is a relatively new approach that allows companies to improve their AI tools without explicitly accessing raw user data. Conceived by Google in 2017, federated learning is a decentralized learning model through which algorithms are trained on edge devices. In regard to Google’s “on-device machine learning” approach, the search giant pushed their predictive text algorithm to Android devices, aggregated the data and sent a summary of the new knowledge back to a central server. To protect the integrity of the user data, this data was either delivered via homomorphic encryption or differential privacy, which is the practice of adding noise to the data in order to obfuscate the results.