Recognizing the great threats posed to the IoT world, Telefónica has launched its own IoT Cybersecurity Unit, a new project that combines the company’s expertise in both cybersecurity and IoT.
The initiative is twofold: On one hand, the unit will strive to expand the existing catalog of IoT products and services offered to customers; on the other hand, it will be used to develop new IoT security solutions to address the existing and emerging threats faced by businesses deploying IoT.
As part of the initiative, Telefónica said its ElevenPaths cybersecurity unit has expanded its collaboration with Subex, a company that specializes in analytic solutions for the telecom sector, and with whom it already offers a Fraud Management as-a-service solution (FMaaS). The new scope of collaboration extends to analysis of the data traffic generated by IoT devices and detection of specific threats in this field, according to Telefónica.
Subex's IoT-specific platform is capable of analyzing traffic by applying machine-learning algorithms, generating an alert every time it detects a threat that jeopardizes cybersecurity of the IoT device.
“Cybersecurity has become one of the companies’ priorities. We are seeing the emergence of a culture around security that is sensitive to processes, strategies and methods designed to minimize risks while increasing value. This collaboration with Subex represents a step forward in our strategy of helping companies protect their investments, assets, and credibility,” said Pedro Pablo Pérez, CEO of ElevenPaths and VP of global security at Telefónica, in a press release.
Last year, Telefónica, along with Etisalat, Singtel and SoftBank, agreed to create the Global Telco Security Alliance to offer enterprises a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity services. AT&T joined the alliance this year, increasing its global presence; the members of the alliance now cover more than 1.2 billion customers in more than 60 countries across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
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Last month, CTIA announced that its IoT Cybersecurity Certification program had certified its first consumer device, the Harman Spark, which is being offered by AT&T. CTIA said its IoT Cybersecurity Certification Program helps device suppliers, enterprises and government organizations ensure that cellular-connected devices have appropriate security capabilities.