The following are news announcements made during the past week:
PRESS RELEASE:
Cisco Survey Finds Divide Between IoT Value, Trust
Cisco has announced the findings of its first IoT Value/Trust Paradox report, based on a survey of 3000 consumers, designed to provide businesses with actionable insights on how to increase consumer confidence in and adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) services.
The survey results show that, while most consumers believe IoT services deliver significant value for them, very few understand or trust how their IoT data is being managed and used. This conclusion has revealed an interesting paradox: despite their lack of trust in IoT data security, consumers on the whole say that they are unwilling to disconnect from IoT services, even temporarily. These findings indicate that we are approaching the point of no return at which consumers irrevocably commit to IoT being an integral part of their lives. IoT is becoming so deeply integrated into consumers’ daily experiences that it is easier to tolerate uncertainty and risk than to disconnect.
While the survey reveals that consumers are willing to accept risk and trade off value for trust, they do so reluctantly. Their desire for transparency and visibility into how their data is being used remains strong. Companies that can resolve the paradox for their customers have the opportunity to accelerate and sustain the growth of their IoT businesses. The data:
• Awareness: More than twice as many consumers recognize personal IoT devices than public ones. When consumers were provided with a broad list of devices and asked to identify which were part of the Internet of Things, 63 percent on average correctly identified personal IoT devices (wearables, home security systems, and so on), while only 27 percent were aware of public IoT implementations (street lighting, energy meters, traffic systems, and so on).
• Value: Across the IoT spectrum, the perceived value that IoT brings to consumers’ lives is quite high: 53 percent of respondents feel that IoT makes their lives more convenient, 47 percent say IoT makes them more efficient, and 34 percent say IoT increases their safety.
• Trust: While consumers are seeing increasing value in IoT services, they are very concerned about the security of their data and how it is being used. Only 9 percent of respondents say that they trust that their data collected and shared through IoT is secure. And only 14 percent feel that companies do a good job of informing them what data is being collected and how it is used.
• The IoT paradox: Consumers value IoT, but don’t trust it. Despite this lack of trust, they are not willing to disconnect: 42 percent said that IoT is too integrated into their daily lives to disconnect from these devices and services, regardless of the perceived risk.
‘As more companies build their businesses around IoT services, they need to first understand the importance of educating customers on how they are using their data to deliver new, valuable services that will enhance their lives,’ said Macario Namie, Head of IoT Strategy at Cisco. ‘Consumers are asking for more visibility into IoT data practices, and to increase transparency around your IoT data governance and management, you first need to be able to determine who gets what data, where and when. Today’s IoT platforms solve for this problem and can give you the ability to enhance consumer confidence and trust, which can lead to greater adoption of your IoT services.’
The Cisco IoT Value/Trust Paradox report recommends that businesses use these insights and implement the following steps to address the gap between value and trust in IoT:
• Establish a clear, concise data policy and share that with your users:Companies must be able to provide transparency into how they are using and securing data and how this helps to improve their customers’ experiences.
• Take granular control of your data: To increase transparency around IoT data governance and management, companies first need an IoT platform that can help determine who gets what data, where and when.
• Create accountability throughout your IoT value chain: Companies must evaluate all the providers in their IoT value chain and put IoT solutions in place to enforce minimum security standards and requirements so they can hold each provider accountable.
For the complete study, including all data and additional business insights on what businesses can do to increase consumer confidence and accelerate the adoption of IoT, download the report here.
PRESS RELEASE:
Gooee Forms IoT Lighting Partnership With Stanpro Lighting Systems
Smart lighting start-up Gooee, the ‘data brain’ for building activity, has extended its North American reach to Canada by partnering with Stanpro Lighting Systems, a world class lighting manufacturer for the Canadian market located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This partnership will enable Stanpro to integrate and further develop Gooee’s IoT-enabling technology within its lighting products.
Once connected to the Gooee ecosystem in mid to late 2018, Stanpro clients, which are in sectors that include offices, industries, shopping centres and retail outlets, will have a portfolio of internal/external lighting solutions that offer better value for money and increased functionality. This is realised through enhanced lighting control, energy management, LED analytics and, for proximity marketing in retail applications, beacon management.
Jeff Beare Vice President of Marketing at Stanpro says: “With the IoT platform designed by Gooee the possibilities of offering value services for our clients will be a huge differential for Stanpro and will position our company as a true leader in the Canadian lighting space.” Jan Kemeling, Chief Commercial Officer at Gooee, adds: “We have now signed agreements with leading lighting brands in Europe, the US, Japan, India, China, Australia, and the Stanpro partnership marks a significant step into Canada.”
Stanpro is an innovative forward thinking lighting company where today’s paradigm shift towards smart connected lighting is not just a reality in the thoughts of a few R&D managers but rather the mindset of the entire company, a phenomenon we have rarely come across.
PRESS RELEASE:
MachNation Predicts 81 Percent Revenue Growth in 2018 for IoT Edge Platforms
MachNation announces availability of its IoT Edge ScoreCard for 2018, an in-depth rating and evaluation of 16 Internet of Things (IoT) edge platform vendors. According to survey data collected from participating vendors in the ScoreCard, IoT edge platform revenue will grow at a sharp 81% in 2018 with 35% of revenue generated from enterprises in Western Europe, 31% in North America and 34% in other regions. Some of the sectors of greatest interest to IoT edge platform vendors include industrial, manufacturing, automotive, transportation and smart cities.
“MachNation’s IoT Edge ScoreCard is the industry’s first and only in-depth, independent evaluation of IoT edge platforms,” said Steve Hilton, President, MachNation. “Enterprises looking for leading edge technologies use our ScoreCard and MachNation’s IoT platform comparison and testing lab (MIT-E)to help guide them in understanding this valuable IoT offering.”
MachNation’s ScoreCard contains several quadrants and matrices to help clarify a dynamic ecosystem. The ScoreCard ranks vendors using 19 detailed technical and business criteria including edge data processing capabilities, edge management tools, pre-configured integrations, architectural approaches, business capabilities and strategic direction.
According to MachNation’s definition, the edge is a distributed technology and processing architecture that brings certain computational and analytics capabilities near the point of data generation. This technology enables certain processes to be decentralized and occur in a more optimal physical location.
“Our research shows that roughly 90% of edge complexity is software related,” said Dima Tokar, co-founder and CTO, MachNation. “While many vendors already provide hardware that adequately supports many IoT solutions, the quality and sophistication of the related edge software is a true differentiator.”
According to Tokar, “MachNation’s ScoreCard digs deeply into enterprises’ technology requirements for an edge platform by completing an in-depth analysis of the following vendors: ADLINK, Amazon, CalAmp, Cisco, ClearBlade, Dell, FogHorn Systems, Huawei, Litmus Automation, Microsoft, MultiTech, Nebbiolo Technologies, SAP, Siemens, Software AG and Telit.”
PRESS RELEASE:
Upstream Security Receives Series A Funding for Cloud-Based Connected and Autonomous Car Fleets
Upstream Security, pioneer of the cloud-based cybersecurity platform for connected cars and autonomous vehicles, has announced the closing of $9 million in Series A funding, led by CRV (Charles River Ventures). The round included expanded investments from Israeli-based Glilot Capital Partners and Maniv Mobility.
Following a $2 million seed funding round in June, the company will use the latest investment to expand its R&D program and continue building out its world-class engineering team and security research team, and open marketing and sales offices in the United States and Europe. The company is well-resourced to secure the 60 million connected cars on the road today that include commercial trucks, vans, buses and private vehicles as well as take advantage of the imminent explosion in connected vehicles—Gartner expects there will be 250 million connected vehicles by 2020.
“Connected and semi-autonomous cars are already a reality, so it’s a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ these self-driving technologies will be deployed at scale. Upstream’s engineers were the first to solve how to protect connected cars and autonomous vehicles using the cloud, crucial for near-term and future deployment of automotive cybersecurity at the fleet level,” said Izhar Armony, general partner at CRV. “We believe in Upstream’s groundbreaking approach to secure connected and autonomous vehicles and in the abilities of cybersecurity veterans, Yoav Levy and Yonatan Appel, to build a rapidly growing business in this hot, emerging space.”
As connected and autonomous driving technologies become mainstream, security attacks on vehicle fleets––groups of motor vehicles owned or leased by a business, government agency or other entity––are likely to increase drastically. Upstream’s cloud-based approach to automotive cybersecurity leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning that is applied to tremendous data sets continuously produced by vehicles. This provides customers with data protection, anomaly detection and real-time analytics of cyber attacks and vehicle fleet health. By centralizing cybersecurity in the cloud instead of in-vehicle, threats are detected and prevented before they even reach a vehicle’s network.
More cars are connected to the Internet today than ever before; driving hackers to develop new and more efficient ways to infiltrate and disrupt automotive software. Today’s automotive cybersecurity solutions are in-vehicle and suffer from slow upgrade cycles which impede their agility as well as their ability to protect against the most recent cybersecurity threats. Upstream’s unique solution offers non-intrusive protection effectively securing cars that are already on the road today and upgradable to stand against new cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities in the future.
“The automotive industry is going through a massive disruption. Consequently, security solutions for the car are undergoing rapid advances at an unprecedented rate. We’re using emerging technologies like AI and machine learning to carry out an evolutionary leap in cybersecurity for passenger and commercial vehicles,” said Upstream CEO and cofounder, Yoav Levy. “Riding the wave of momentum from our recent company launch, this new investment round further validates our technology and approach, and will fuel our commitment to be the leading force of innovation in security for connected and autonomous transportation.”
PRESS RELEASE:
ForeScout Technologies Integrates With IBM Security Solutions to Fortify Endpoint Defenses, Enforce Compliance
ForeScout Technologies (NASDAQ: FSCT), a leading Internet of Things (IoT) security company, has announced it has added to its suite of integrations with IBM Security solutions by offering the new ForeScout Extended Module for IBM BigFix, a leading endpoint management and security platform. ForeScout’s integration with IBM combines best-in-class security technologies to strengthen endpoint defenses and automates risk mitigation actions across today’s diverse range of connected devices, including mobile, BYOD, IoT and off-premises corporate devices. The extended module helps organizations maximize security effectiveness and enforce compliance with corporate and industry standards.
The surge in the number and type of connected devices has increased the complexity of enterprise environments, presenting a challenge for CIOs and CISOs to maintain endpoint compliance. The ForeScout Extended Module for IBM BigFix integrates ForeScout CounterACT and IBM BigFix to assess the security posture of varied types of devices and automates remediation actions to maintain compliance, helping organizations resolve endpoint compliance violations at device connection time before allowing them the appropriate network access.
“When you combine the diversity of network-connected devices with the growing number of industry standards and compliance regulations, the end result can be a security nightmare without the ability to identify and assess endpoints,” said Pedro Abreu, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, ForeScout. “We have teamed up with IBM BigFix to provide an integrated solution that maximizes security effectiveness through greater endpoint coverage with optimized endpoint discovery, management and continuous policy enforcement, alleviating the compliance burden on security teams.”
The ForeScout Extended Module for IBM BigFix will provide customers with the following benefits:
Real-time visibility and control for corporate and unmanaged devices: Extend endpoint visibility and control beyond BigFix-managed endpoints to include unmanaged devices such as BYOD, IoT, network infrastructure and operational technology systems.
Maximize BigFix agent effectiveness: Verify the presence and operation of BigFix agents on supported corporate endpoints using ForeScout and enroll, restart, or remediate to ensure fully functional agents at the time the device connects.
Strengthen endpoint compliance to minimize risk: Monitors the configuration and compliance of BigFix-managed devices. It also complements ForeScout’s agentless assessment of devices that are not managed by BigFix, to maintain compliance with industry and regulatory standards.
Automate response and risk mitigation: If either ForeScout or BigFix determines that a device is noncompliant, it will isolate or quarantine the device using ForeScout, and initiates host or network remediation actions before allowing appropriate network access.
“The ForeScout Extended Module for IBM BigFix is a long-awaited solution that gives customers an extra layer of protection that ensures endpoints are managed appropriately and meet compliance requirements across various device types including BYOD and IoT,” said Shahzeb Husain, director, Architecture and Security Services, CAS Severn. “We are excited to offer our customers a solution that assures non-compliant devices will be automatically discovered, quarantined and then remediated prior to network admission.”
ForeScout’s integration with IBM BigFix further extends its joint offerings with IBM Security solutions, which also include IBM QRadar for greater security insight and automated incident response, and IBM MaaS360 for enhanced management, compliance and security of mobile devices. The ForeScout Extended Module for IBM BigFix is generally available now.
PRESS RELEASE:
Altizon, Novecom Partner on Industrial IoT and Industry 4.0 Solutions, Expand APAC Presence
Altizon, a global industrial IIoT platform company creating connected intelligence for enterprises, and Novecom Pty Ltd, an Advitech Group Company, and leader in environmental monitoring and data management systems for industry, has announced their partnership to deliver an end-to-end IIoT and industry 4.0 offering. The combined offering includes hardware, software, analytics, and network connectivity enabled by Datonis, Altizon’s advanced IIoT platform and expands both companies’ footprints across APAC. The solution will help industrial customers, including agriculture, telecom, mining, manufacturing and transport companies meet their current business challenges for connectivity, efficiency and increased uptime through the seamless integration of sensors, M2M communications and data analytics.
Novecom is Altizon’s first partner in Australia, continuing the company’s mission to help ease entry and accelerate IIoT adoption globally. Datonis helps fast-track information and operations technology (IT/OT) integrations by quickly connecting diverse industrial assets. Using Datonis, manufacturers can launch new applications over a hybrid infrastructure with edge computing, advanced in-stream analytics, and deep learning capabilities.
“Right from our first interaction, it was clear that Altizon is aligned with our customer centric focus,” said Jeremy Pola, Managing Director for Novecom “Our business is built upon developing solutions to specific customer challenges and this is why we are passionate about sensor-based data. We have a strong pedigree in delivering highly valued decision-making and business support tools. By working with Altizon, we will help ensure that our clients gain maximum advantage from IIoT and the Industry 4.0 environment.”
“We are delighted to partner with Novecom and the Advitech Group to extend our offering to Australia, significantly expanding our APAC footprint in helping industrial clients gain access to innovative solutions,” said Vinay Nathan, CEO of Altizon. “Coupled with Novecom’s integrated environmental sensor based information systems and the strength of the Advitech Groups’ consulting expertise, industrial clients will be able to operate and demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations and community expectations with greater efficiency and at maximum scale.”
PRESS RELEASE:
Redpine Signals Launches Low-Power Wireless MCU, Connectivity Solutions for Battery-Operated IoT Devices
Redpine Signals, Inc. has launched the industry’s lowest-power multi-protocol wireless MCU (WiSeMCU) solution – RS14100 – for battery-operated IoT devices. Redpine Signals also launched the RS9116 wireless solution, featuring multi-protocol wireless connectivity. RS9116 will be available in both hosted (n-Link) and embedded (WiSeConnect) configurations. These new low-power solutions build upon the success of Redpine’s RS9113 and RS9110 devices which together have been in production for over a decade and have been deployed by thousands of IoT customers worldwide.
“The IoT market requires devices to be always connected to the network driving the need for ultra-low power connectivity solutions. The IoT devices also need to support multiple wireless protocols to connect to the cloud, connecting to other devices as well as provisioning,” said Venkat Mattela, Chairman and CEO of Redpine Signals. “In addition, security is a major issue for the IoT market making it critical for device makers to provide multiple levels of security. Redpine’s RS14100 and RS9116 have been designed based on these critical IoT market requirements to provide an optimal solution for battery operated devices.”
The RS14100 and RS9116 implement multi-protocol wireless connectivity with dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) 802.11abgn Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5 (including long range, high throughput and advertising extensions) and 802.15.4 which can be used for Thread or ZigBee connectivity. The RS14100 features an ARM Cortex-M4F which can operate up to 180 MHz and includes up to 4 MB of flash for applications.
Users can choose from various SoC and module packages based on their system requirements, including the industry’s smallest integrated module at 4.6mm x 7.8mm. The WiSeConnect embedded modules provide an industry-high throughput of over 90 Mbps with integrated wireless stacks, wireless profiles as well as networking stack. n-Link hosted modules interface to processors running Linux, Android or Windows operating systems.
The RS14100 and the RS9116 feature patent-pending ‘big-little’ architecture at every level including MCU, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5 as well as 802.15.4 which provide optimized transitions between high-performance and low-power operating modes. This unique architecture enables the industry’s lowest Wi-Fi standby associated power of an ARM Cortex-M4F which can provide as low as 12 uA/MHz operation as well as integrated Bluetooth 5 which has lower power than even stand-alone Bluetooth 5 devices. These ultra-low power capabilities enable battery-operated devices such as security cameras, smart locks, video doorbells, fitness bands, industrial sensors and location tags to have over 3-4x the battery life than possible with other solutions.
The R14100 is based on trusted execution environment (TEE) architecture with security processor separated from applications processor, PUF (Physically Unclonable Function) based Root-of-trust, Suite-B Crypto HW accelerators, secure boot, secure firmware upgrade, secure XIP and secure peripherals. It provides high-security levels required for applications like mobile point-of-sale terminals, smart locks, medical devices and secure voice-based ordering. The RS9116 also provides a subset of these security features relevant for providing wireless connectivity.
The RS14100 includes an “always-on” sensor-hub with hardware accelerators for voice-activity detection (VAD), vector filtering, interpolation and matrix multiplication, sensor data collection and capacitive touch. This enables new applications like voice triggers for primary battery-operated devices. The RS14100 also supports a rich set of digital and analog peripherals including CAN, Ethernet, eMMC/SD Card, OpAmp, ADC, DAC and USB OTG.
The RS14100 and the RS9116 SoC and modules are sampling now with volume production starting in Q2, 2018.
PRESS RELEASE:
Maxim Integrated Products Offers Wearables for Preventive Health and Fitness Applications
Design preventive healthcare and continuous monitoring solutions for wearable health and fitness applications with the MAX86140 and MAX86141 optical pulse oximeter/heart rate sensors and the MAX30001 electrocardiogram (ECG) and bioimpedance (BioZ) analog front end (AFE) from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM). Through compact, low power solutions, these devices enable accurate monitoring of vital signs to monitor wellness/fitness and prevent health problems before they even begin.
Today’s continuous monitoring technology is shifting the consumer mindset away from a reactive monitoring approach to a proactive one. Rather than waiting for yearly doctor visits to get results for blood pressure and other vital signs, consumers want real-time information about the status of their health. This shift is causing an increased demand for accurate, small, and low-power wearable devices—an important enabler for this new way of thinking. As continuous monitoring and preventive healthcare become more common, both technology providers and health practitioners must embrace and accommodate these new demands to be successful.
Maxim’s portfolio of sensors for wearable health and fitness applications allows consumers to accurately monitor a variety of key vital signs while being mindful of low power (for longer battery life) and small size (for convenience and comfort). The MAX86140 and MAX86141 can be used to measure PPG signals on the wrist, finger, and ear to detect heart rate, heart rate variability, and pulse oximetry.
The MAX30001 measures ECG and BioZ on the chest and wrist to detect heart rate, respiration, and arrhythmias. Compared to competitive solutions, the MAX86140 and MAX86141 require less than half the power and is approximately one third smaller, while the MAX30001 requires approximately half the power in almost half the size. By collecting beat to beat data about the heart, these solutions collect accurate data so users can recognize important symptoms when they first begin. In addition, the MAX30001 meets IEC60601-2-47, clinical ECG standards.
The MAX86140 and MAX86141 are available at Maxim’s website and select authorized distributors; MAX86140 is available for $3.05 and MAX86141 is available for $3.35 (1000-up, FOB USA); Both are available in a 20-pin WLP (2.048mm x 1.848mm) and operate over the-40°C to +85°C operating temperature range; The MAX86140EVSYS# evaluation kit, which evaluates both MAX86140 and MAX86141, is available for $100
The MAX30001 is available at Maxim’s website and select authorized distributors for $5.83 (1000-up, FOB USA); Available in a 28-pin TQFN and 30-bump WLP (2.7mm x 2.9mm); Operates over the 0°C to 70°C operating temperature range; The MAX30001EVSYS# evaluation kit is available for $100