A 3-in-1 solution by next generation IoT system
When we need a mobile device for connectivity, we buy a simcard. When we need authenticated access to our devices, we put a password. When we go out to different countries, we apply to different local network operators to get connectivity there. Have you ever wondered what does an object around us do to connect itself to the internet, provide a way for secure usage and give remote accessibility to its users? The Oasis Smartsim — Micron — Tata Communications alliance(referred to as MTO from here) is set to provide an answer to this question, through its new cloud based embedded Sim solution with global connectivity for IoT edge devices secured with a Security As A Service model.
The present scenario –Why this is needed?
According to a research report, the number of devices connected to internet stands around 9 billion as of 2020. The NB — IoT devices count at 100 million as of mid-2020. Some significant challenges in the implementation and adoption of IoT include - purchase of sim cards and coordinating with multiple operators for remote global usage, the costs related to maintenance, cybersecurity threats and complex security implementations. The MTO alliance has demonstrated a solution for this with a proof of concept on October 27 and 28 in “IoT Security Conference” jointly hosted by Tata Communications and Micron this year. This system provides an IoT device to get connected with the internet in just two clicks. First click is to assign and configure with a cloud based eSim, establish secured links between the IoT device and the sim on cloud. The final click is to connect into a global network interlinking mobile operators over 200 countries.
What does it solve?
A general architecture of an IoT network is given in the image below. The proposed system aims to solve three main challenges in existing system namely
1. Highly scalable device security — Any device can be verified easily, using a key management software(KMS) and on-boarded into the IoT services with no physical registration process.
2. Seamless Global Connectivity — The establishment of a global network supported by a wide number of mobile network operators across countries to ensure reliability of link for the connected devices.
3. On demand subscription which eliminates the necessity to use monthly subscriptions plans, facilitating usage of the services for the connected device only when needed. Billing is also done based on usage of the global network’s services through a pay as you go model, so that the connected device can make use of this service in addition to its existing wifi and cellular connections.
How is it solved?
The proposed solution consists of three components. Provision and allocation of cloud-based Velios eSim to a IoT device and establishment of a virtual link named Velios link between the device and the eSim. A security as a software platform that can be uploaded into a flash memory in the IoT module called as the Authenta Key Management System(KMS) provided by Micron technologies. A globally interconnected communication network consisting services of various local mobile network operators(MNO) across 200 countries is integrated under the TATA Communications MOVE — Global IoT solutions network.
Firstly, the user can register their IoT device with a management platform and get a cloud-based eSim assigned to it. Next, custom security keys are generated by the Authenta KMS in the device and configurations related to the device’s use cases are made. After that, the Authenta firmware sends a connection request to a nearby base station which is a part of the Tata MOVE global network. The network forwards the request to the cloud server which manages the eSim allocation. Then the server verifies the connection request. Once it is signaled as authentic, the IoT edge device gets connected to a global network and can be remotely accessed by any authorized user. All data shared will be carried by the Velios virtual link from the device to the eSim on cloud, which will be sent to the TATA MOVE network to reach a destination client, residing in any part of the globe connected by the worldwide network. The detailed explanation of the prototype can be found in the youtube link of a session at the IoT Security Conference in the references. Mr. Ari Singer, CTO at TrustiPhi and Mr Olivier Leroux, CEO at OASIS Smartsim gave a demo of the proposed system.
Conclusion
The demonstration of the proof of concept by the MTO alliance opens up a new possibility in the deployment and remote controlling of connected devices through a simple, hassle-free process. With the development of LPWAN and NB-IoT standards, the number of connected devices in industries is expected to increase largely. The introduction of such a system will be beneficial for industries that look to operate and manage connected devices in a large-scale remotely.
References
Editorial Note
This article was written in collaboration with Pritam Mishra of Probe content team.
