Good afternoon, readers. Today marks “Christmas Eve Eve,” if you’re one who celebrates like the iconic (and ever-kooky) Phoebe Buffay from Friends. But hey, we hope your week has started off warm and well, however you end up spending it.
On the IoT side of things, let’s rap for a moment about the IoT M2M Council (IMC) and the Global Certification Forum (GCF).
IMC is the largest (and fastest-growing, sources say) trade organization in the IoT/M2M sector, comprising 25,000+ OEMs, enterprise users and apps developers as its IoT Adopter Members (including the likes of Fedex, Hyundai, Siemens Medical, Giesecke+Devrient, even the U.S. Department of Defense, etcetera). Having brought together large-scale IoT innovators (i.e. plenty of connectivity-centric providers, systems integrators, network operators, equipment manufacturers and chipware makers in this mix, too), the IMC supports industry efforts to responsibly increase IoT deployment volumes while simultaneously staying apprised of (and meeting) evolving global needs.
GCF is a non-profit, global membership-driven org that offers mobile and IoT certification programs and provides assurance of device-network interoperability, testing cost reductions, and accelerated time-to-market initiatives. GCF boasts hundreds of its own members, ranging from major mobile network operators (MNOs) to device manufacturers, IoT testing experts and more. GCF provides certification solutions for devices based on 3GPP and other relevant industry standards including (but far from limited to) smartphones and other smart devices, modules, chipsets, routers, sensors, wearables; the list goes on.
And not but a week ago, the two made an announcement we’re here to cover:
Together, IMC and GCF leadership have formed a Joint Task Force (JTF) that will evaluate the development of a certification program specific to the cybersecurity of IoT deployments.
According to the official announcement, they formed this Joint Task Force “to determine the feasibility of a holistic approach, including devices, networks and IoT cloud/app platforms, that differs from most traditional certifications for IoT security.” Additionally, many big names in tech — Aeris, Telit Cinterion, Vodafone, Quectel, MultiTech, Finite State, Digi International and others — have already agreed to participate in the JTF; participation is still reportedly open to other organizations.
Providing commentary, GFC’s CEO Lars Nielsen explained how “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, and companies that are involved in advancing IoT technology understand that.”
IMC Chair Sri Ramachandran, after describing how “a strong plurality (41%) of companies see increased IoT security as a competitive advantage to drive revenue,” added that “All sides of the IoT ecosystem are struggling to contend with different standards and regulations, and we sincerely hope to help alleviate this very issue.”
Click here to learn more.
Immerse yourself in major Internet of Things news and developments at IoT Evolution Expo 2025! This will be taking place from February 11-13, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Part of the #TECHSUPERSHOW experience, this event combines educational conference programming with a robust exhibit hall, networking events and other activities, bringing together buyers and providers of business technology products and services that are huge for IoT.
Edited by
Alex Passett
