GCF and IMC IoT cybersecurity initiative

The Global Certification Forum and IoT M2M Council (IMC) have announced a joint initiative to evaluate global cybersecurity certification for IoT services.

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According to a spokesperson, this has involved the formation of a joint task force to “determine the feasibility of a holistic approach including devices, networks and IoT cloud/app platforms.” “This unique approach,” the spokesperson continued, “differs from most certifications for IoT security, which concentrate on certifying security mainly on the device side.”

Companies currently involved include Aeris, DEKRA, Digi International, Element Material Technologies, Vodafone, Thales and more.

Discussing the rationale behind the initiative, GCF CEO Lars Nielsen said: “Massive increases in security breaches, coupled with sea-change technologies like AI, make this effort imperative.

“We see ensuring all three layers of the IoT stack as the only way to truly provide incremental security. Companies that are involved in advancing IoT technology understand that.”

Sri Ramachandran, IMC chair and CTO at Somos, said: “[A] point made clear by our polling is that all sides of the IoT ecosystem are struggling to contend with different standards and regulations from different parts of the world. We hope to help alleviate this issue.”