Blockchain-anchoring security specialist Ubirch, G+D Mobile Security, a provider of security technologies and tier-1 IoT Carrier 1NCE, announced today that they will release an IoT security service that can easily be used with the IoT SIM cards of 1NCE, combining the security standards of cellular and blockchain tech.
From March 2020, 1NCE IoT SIM cards can be configurated with Ubirch’s security technology. The Ubirch solution seals sensor data directly at its source – on the SIM chip itself – and not after it has been stored in a blockchain in the cloud. Data packets that have been sealed this way can be verified whenever they are being processed later in any cloud or IT-systems, allowing for fully automated, data-driven architectures across supply-chains such as e.g. insurance, healthcare, logistics, and smart grids.
This new offering is based on the enterprise-grade customer-proven SIGNiT solution from G+D Mobile Security. It combines proven SIM environments and secure operating systems with blockchain technology from Ubirch. SIGNiT is already used by enterprise customers such as Lufthansa Industry Solutions for transport damage detection.
“Transforming IoT into profitable business is clearly about two things –security and scaling. With this exciting cooperation, we can offer a breakthrough solution for both. The best in class IoT connectivity combined with the leading IoT security solution. We believe that this offering will redefine how businesses will think about IoT.”
– Stephan Noller, CEO of Ubirch
Ubirch has developed a trust protocol, which ensures that data from IoT sensors cannot be falsified after their creation. The data packets of sensors are sealed and chained with strong cryptography in a way that it becomes technically impossible to manipulate them once stored in a Blockchain. This combination of offering blockchain on a SIM including managed connectivity is unique and the first of its kind.
Customers like Deutsche Messe AG appreciate the comprehensive solution, as Marcus Eibach, Project Director 5G confirmed: “IoT Data will be the core of our future business models while we are transforming into a fully connected smart venue here in Hanover. It’s good to see that technologies like the blockchain on a SIM-card are available now and will help to deploy secure devices at scale.”
Protection Against Unauthorized Access
The solution works like a blockchain that starts right from the source of data-creation – the IoT sensor. IoT data is sealed by a private key that sits on the SIM-Card. In the backend these micro-certificates are then stored in a so-called Merkle-Tree and anchored in public blockchains, thus creating an immutable and irrefutable record of that sensor.
As the protocol is bidirectional, an IoT sensor can verify incoming packets for authenticity and integrity, providing protection against unauthorized commands or unknown sources. The benefits for clients are huge – as IoT data can be verified whenever it is processed or new data-driven business models like smart contract insurances can be deployed. Prevention for hacking attacks like “man in the middle” or packet duplication/suppression is also a built-in feature, as only verifiable packets are processed.
“With our constantly growing customer base of more than 2,300, we know exactly what IoT customers need. Security is one of the key features especially enterprise customer’s demand. By embedding the Ubirch nano client right on our 1NCE IoT SIM card, we further push the boundaries of what is possible in easy to use international cellular IoT connectivity. This is a giant leap forward, that demonstrates once again, how disruptive collaboration between leading industry players can be.”
– Kim Juchem, COO at 1NCE