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2023-05-17
Securing the Internet of Things: RIoT Secure launch Innovative Approach
to IoT Device Security
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RIoT Secure, a Stockholm-based technology enabler within the IoT industry addresses the potential security risks that stem from a lack of expertise in low-level programming languages. The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has dramatically changed our lives by connecting devices and providing greater convenience and efficiency. However, with this increased connectivity comes an increased risk of cyberattacks that have the potential to impact the lives of millions of people. Security is a major concern within IoT, and one of the reasons for this is the lack of emphasis on low-level programming languages, such as C and Assembler, in university curricula. Amidst these challenges, RIoT Secure, a leading provider of IoT security solutions, has emerged with its groundbreaking approach to addressing the security concerns associated with IoT devices. RIoT Secure has developed a comprehensive lifecycle management platform that allows developers to focus on their IoT applications, regardless of their chosen runtime environment or programming language. By utilizing a dedicated microcontroller for communication and security, RIoT Secure's platform provides a hardware sandbox that effectively isolates the application-centric microcontroller from external threats. The advantages of RIoT Secure's approach are numerous. By using a dedicated microcontroller for security, developers can concentrate on their applications without the need to worry about implementing complex security features that could potentially impact the operation and functionality of the IoT device. This flexibility allows developers to leverage their preferred programming languages and runtime environments, empowering them to create IoT applications with ease. RIoT Secure's platform ensures the highest level of protection for IoT devices by handling security independently. By providing all aspects of communication and security, RIoT Secure enables developers to focus on their core competencies while guaranteeing robust protection against external threats. This comprehensive approach not only streamlines the development process but also significantly enhances the security posture of IoT devices, safeguarding them from potential vulnerabilities and attacks. One of the key features of RIoT Secure's platform is the hardware sandbox. By isolating the application microcontroller from all types of potential threats, such as malware or unauthorized access, the hardware sandbox ensures the integrity of IoT devices. This level of isolation and protection helps prevent unauthorized code execution and preserves the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical data transmitted and stored by IoT devices. Moreover, RIoT Secure's lifecycle management platform contributes to the overall security landscape by offering a reliable and scalable solution for the growing IoT ecosystem. With the ever-increasing number of interconnected devices, there is a pressing need for robust security infrastructure. RIoT Secure's platform fills this gap by providing a dedicated micro-controller-based security solution that can seamlessly integrate into existing IoT architectures. While universities have traditionally focused on teaching higher-level programming languages, such as Java, JavaScript, and Python, the importance of low-level programming languages cannot be overlooked. Universities must recognize the critical role of low-level languages like C and Assembler in cybersecurity. By incorporating these languages into their curriculum, educational institutions can bridge the security knowledge gap and equip graduates with the necessary skills to build secure IoT systems. In the face of these educational challenges, RIoT Secure's lifecycle management platform serves as an innovative solution that helps developers navigate the complexities of IoT security. By providing a comprehensive security infrastructure, RIoT Secure empowers developers to build secure IoT devices and applications, irrespective of their chosen programming languages or runtime environments. As the Internet of Things continues to expand, it is imperative that we prioritize secure programming practices and equip developers with the knowledge and tools necessary to mitigate potential risks. By reevaluating university curricula and emphasizing the importance of low-level programming languages, we can ensure that the next generation of developers is well-prepared to address the intricate security challenges posed by the ever-growing IoT landscape. In the meantime, RIoT Secure's lifecycle management platform stands as a testament to the possibilities of innovative security solutions in enabling the secure and efficient operation of IoT devices in our interconnected world.
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2023-04-25
The Importance of Low Powered Resource Constrained Microcontrollers
in IoT.
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As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand, the demand for efficient and cost- effective solutions becomes increasingly important. One key component in the IoT ecosystem is the micro-controller, which serves as the "brain" of a connected device. While powerful micro-controllers have their place in the industry, resource-constrained micro-controllers are emerging as a crucial element in many IoT applications. These low-power, low-cost devices cater to specific use cases where size, energy efficiency, and affordability are of paramount importance. The widespread adoption of IoT devices across numerous industries has highlighted the need for low-powered, resource-constrained micro-controllers. These devices offer cost-effective solution for their products. As these micro-controllers are designed for specific use cases, they often require fewer resources and are available at a lower price point compared to more powerful alternatives. This cost advantage can be passed on to customers, making IoT devices more accessible and affordable. They also typically have a smaller form factor, allowing device manufacturers to create compact, discreet devices that can be easily integrated into various environments, including wearables, smart home appliances, and industrial monitoring systems. End-users of IoT devices also stand to benefit from the use of low-powered, resource- constrained micro-controllers. Energy efficiency is a critical concern for battery- operated devices, as it directly impacts the device's operational lifespan between charges or battery replacements while also contributing to a smaller carbon footprint, promoting sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of IoT devices. In addition to cost and energy efficiency, low-powered micro-controllers can be tailored for specific applications, ensuring that they provide just the right amount of processing power and functionality needed for a particular use case. This allows IoT devices to be more focused and efficient in their operation, optimizing performance without sacrificing reliability. In scenarios where complex processing is unnecessary, resource-constrained micro-controllers offer a practical and efficient solution that caters to the specific needs of the end-user. The global chip shortage, which began in 2020, has had far-reaching consequences across numerous industries, including the IoT sector. A perfect storm of increased demand due to the rise in remote work and digital transformation, disruptions in the supply chain, and trade restrictions have all contributed to the shortage. Major chip manufacturers, have struggled to keep up with the growing demand for semiconductors, leading to delays in production and delivery for many electronic devices. In the midst of this crisis, low-powered, resource-constrained microcontrollers have emerged as a welcomed alternative for device manufacturers. These microcontrollers offer several advantages that help mitigate the impact of the chip shortage on IoT device production. Some advantages include diversification of supply sources, flexibility in design, reduced lead times, and cost savings. By adopting low-powered, resource-constrained microcontrollers as an alternative to more popular options, IoT device manufacturers have been able to continue production despite the ongoing chip shortage. This adaptability has not only helped mitigate the immediate impact of the shortage but also highlights the importance of diversification and flexibility in supply chain management, which can lead to greater resilience and success in the ever-evolving IoT landscape. Ongoing technological advancements, such as energy harvesting, have also had a significant impact on the growing adoption and potential of low-powered, resource- constrained microcontrollers in the IoT space. Energy harvesting refers to the process of capturing and converting ambient energy from various sources, such as solar, thermal, vibration, or radio waves, into usable electrical power. As energy harvesting technologies continue to evolve and improve, their potential applications in powering IoT devices become increasingly viable - but also promote the use of renewable energy sources, thereby reducing the environmental impact of IoT devices. This focus on sustainability aligns well with the energy efficiency of low-powered micro controllers, supporting the development of environmentally-friendly IoT solutions. Security has always been a critical concern in the world of IoT devices, and the use of low-powered, resource-constrained microcontrollers can present unique challenges for developers. Some of these challenges include limited processing power, memory constraints, and scalability. Recognizing these challenges, RIoT Secure has developed a lifecycle management platform that addresses security concerns while allowing developers to focus on their IoT applications. The platform utilizes a dedicated microcontroller for communication and security, providing a hardware sandbox that isolates the application-focused microcontroller, which can be low- powered and resource-constrained, from external threats. RIoT Secure’s approach offers several advantages. First, it enables the separation of concerns, allowing developers to focus on their application without worrying about implementing security features within the resource-constrained microcontroller. Second, it provides hardware isolation, ensuring that the application microcontroller is isolated from potential threats, such as malware or unauthorized access. Finally, it simplifies management by streamlining the process of managing security updates and patches for a large number of devices. By addressing these security challenges, RIoT Secure's lifecycle management platform enables developers to harness the benefits of low-powered, resource- constrained microcontrollers without compromising on security. This innovative approach ensures that IoT devices remain secure and reliable, even as the industry continues to evolve and expand.
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2023-04-24
"The Internet of Disconnected Things" - A Game Changing Approach to
IoT Security from RIoT Secure.
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In today's fast-paced technological landscape, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become an essential part of everyday life, seamlessly connecting billions of devices and enabling innovation across various enterprise and consumer industries. However, the current state of IoT security is plagued with security vulnerabilities and risks, as IoT devices often lack security safeguards, leaving devices exposed to cyberattacks and potential exploitation. Creating and deploying IoT devices typically demands a diverse set of skills and expertise, including hardware and software engineers, data scientists, and domain experts, particularly as edge computing and artificial intelligence gain traction. This presents numerous challenges in ensuring IoT device security, as not every developer may possess the required knowledge or abilities to put strong security measures in place. There is an immediate need for a straightforward, developer-centric security solution that can be effortlessly incorporated into IoT devices. RIoT Secure has pioneered a game-changing approach to IoT security, called the "Internet of Disconnect Things" - leveraging the power of separate microcontrollers and a hardware sandbox environment, offering unprecedented levels of security and customization for IoT devices. The first microcontroller is dedicated to handling communication, security, and lifecycle management (firmware over-the-air) tasks. This microcontroller is specifically chosen to ensure a root of trust and that data transmitted between IoT devices and the cloud is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access. The approach utilizes an additional microcontroller for the IoT device's specific use case and application. This separation enables device manufacturers and developers to choose the best microcontroller for their requirements, without being limited by the constraints of a single, integrated solution. RIoT Secure's approach offers unparalleled flexibility by allowing developers to choose not only the most suitable microcontroller for their application, but also the operating system, runtime environment, and programming language that best suits their needs and available skill sets of their team. This freedom of choice enables developers to quickly develop their solutions while still benefiting from the robust security provided by the dedicated communications and security microcontroller. One key advantage of this approach is to allow developers to concentrate on their specific areas of expertise, such as sensors, actuators, data science, or AI models for edge environments. By eliminating the need for developers to become security or encryption experts, it enables them to dedicate their time and resources to creating innovative and effective IoT applications, with a quicker time to market at a lower cost, while the approach ensures that these devices remain secure and protected from cyber threats. A key component of RIoT Secure's approach to IoT security is the utilization of a hardware sandbox, an environment in which the microcontroller is completely isolated from the outside world - ensuring that there are no potential attack vectors that could compromise the security of the IoT device, virtually eliminating the possibility of cyberattacks or exploitation as part of a botnet. The separation of the dedicated communication and security microcontroller with the application microcontroller allows for better resource optimization. Device manufacturers can choose cost-effective components for their specific needs without sacrificing security. This cost-effectiveness can lead to more affordable IoT devices, expanding their potential reach and accessibility to a broader range of users and markets. RIoT Secure has integrated this approach into its secure lifecycle management platform - which is designed to support developers throughout the entire IoT development process, from proof of concept to full-scale commercial deployment. By providing a consistent and unified environment, it enables developers to quickly and easily migrate their projects from development stages to commercial deployment, without having to re-engineer security solutions or adapt to new hardware and software requirements, especially deployments that can easily be retro-fitted with minor adjustments. The robust security features provided by the RIoT Secure platform help to alleviate concerns about the safety and reliability of IoT devices, fostering greater trust among end-users and encouraging the adoption of IoT technologies. As more organizations and consumers adopt IoT devices with confidence in their security, the potential for these technologies to transform industries and improve the daily lives of individuals becomes even more significant. RIoT Secure's platform gives flexibility and adaptability and also means that it is well-positioned to accommodate the rapidly evolving IoT landscape. As new technologies, standards, and protocols emerge, it can be easily updated and adapted to incorporate these advancements, ensuring that IoT devices remain secure and relevant in the face of constant change. This scalability and future-proofing make it a smart investment for organizations looking to deploy IoT devices over the long term.
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2023-04-21
RIoT Secure - Simlifying IoT Security with Innovative Lifecycle Management
of Microcontrollers
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RIoT Secure is a Stockholm-based technology enabler within the IoT industry. Founded in 2017 by Aaron Ardiri and Bjorn de Jounge, who are engineers and entrepreneurs, RIoT Secure offers a unique lifecycle management platform for resource-constrained micro-controllers, enabling developers to deploy and maintain IoT devices securely. The company's mission is to ensure that security technology exists in the foundations of software development for IoT solutions and to make security available to all IoT devices, regardless of the computational and memory resources available. The IoT industry presents challenges for manufacturers, enterprises, and consumers, as it encompasses a wide range of devices from simple sensors to complex management systems. Security within IoT over the last decade has been a major concern due to slow standardization time for end-to-end security and device lifecycle management. In addition, embedded skills are rarely taught at university level to ensure that firmware for low-powered, resource-constrained devices can meet stringent security requirements and remain functional. Many IoT projects fail, due to the unexpected additional costs required to integrate security and communications. RIoT Secure offers a solution that addresses these challenges by providing a platform allowing developers to focus on the sensors, actuators and edge-computing while providing real-time monitoring, control, and maintenance of IoT devices, ensuring secure data exchange between trusted sources, and minimizing the risk of cyber attacks. RIoT Secure has developed their platform with secure by design in mind, opting to develop the majority of their source code from scratch, which makes it purpose driven and easy to audit. The company provides a range of technologies, from cryptographic technology optimized for low-powered resource-constrained devices to network-agnostic developer modules to a complete device lifecycle management platform tailored specifically to the requirements of any IoT ecosystem. Their platform has been designed and implemented from the ground up specifically for IoT, from sensors to gateways, particularly low-powered resource-constrained devices. The company's platform offers secure communication to the cloud for resource-constrained microcontrollers, over-the-air firmware updates, and lifecycle management. The company's services also enhance data collection, even when there is no network availability and information processing and are built on top of the platform. RIoT Secure's platform utilizes multiple microcontrollers, providing a separation of concerns and freedom of choice for the microcontroller, operating system, environment, and programming language that the customer can use for their solution. It manages the complexities of networking and security protocols, enabling quick time to market. The platform is architected to co-exist with existing management platforms and provides extensive third-party integration points. RIoT Secure participated in the EU Horizon 2020 program with EIT Digital, which resulted in the commercialization of their platform with successful pilot case studies with Comau and SAS ground service handling. As a result of the case studies, they are currently retrofitting all existing telematics devices for SAS ground service handling with their solution, and discussions are underway to expand the solution to other hubs in the SAS's ecosystem. The solution does more than basic telematics and allows SAS ground service handling to perform automated billing services and increased safety and security within the tarmac. Aaron Ardiri shared his experience building and developing the RIoT Secure lifecycle management platform. He mentioned that their platform was able to provide second-level location and environmental data, which has helped diagnose and create reports for accidents that have occurred at the airport. In comparison to legacy telematics solutions it was clear that the RIoT Secure platform exceeded all customer expectations with the quality and content of data it provided. He mentioned that they are interested in engaging with more embedded development communities, exploring the PSA-certified standard for their system and are open to discussions for collaboration. The platform offers an ultimate level of protection against hackers and data snooping by providing hardware abstraction where the customer’s device is effectively isolated from the outside world. All firmware and data is optimized to minimize network traffic, while being fully encrypted, complete with integrity checks ensuring the security of IoT devices at all times. With RIoT Secure, customers can securely manage an IoT deployment with a real-time overview, reducing operational and maintenance costs, and avoiding the need to have a physical presence to update or service devices.
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