Avner Motaev writes about a new GSMA report.
This week, the GSMA (Groupe Speciale Mobile Association), has introduced a set of guidelines that intend to guide telecoms operators who want to secure the ‘Internet of Things’ networks they operate in.
I’ve decided to look into the news and find out more.
What is the IoT?
I’ve written before about the Internet of Things, where I described it as:
“…the network of physical objects or “things” (phones, computers, tablets, gaming consoles, even televisions) embedded with electronics, software, sensors and network connectivity which enables said objects to collect and exchange data.
In short, it is what connects the technology we use on a daily basis throughout our lives.”
With this in mind, it’s clear that such a vast and rather opaque network is susceptible to attacks from malicious hackers and criminals. It’s obvious that such a large and expansive network needs protection, hence the recent report from GSMA.
New measures
Regarding the report, Alex Sinclair of GSMA said:
“As billions of devices become connected in the Internet of Things, offering innovative and interconnected new services, the possibility of potential vulnerabilities increases.
These can be overcome if the end-to-end security of an IoT service is carefully considered by the service provider when designing their service and an appropriate mitigating technology is deployed.
A proven and robust approach to security will create trusted, reliable services that scale as the market grows.”
The statement implies that holistic, measured approaches to security are needed.
Companies have responded to the report, as Orange, Telefónica, Ericsson, China Mobile and Verizon all involved themselves in a consultation of the report’s suggestions. This clearly indicates that the IoT is being approached with care.
Avner Motaev
Avner Motaev is the director of Mobile2Business, a provider of telecommunications solutions to businesses in Austria. Mobile2Business is an official business partner of T-Mobile