IoT Security is an Onion: Learn to Peel it at the IoT Evolution Expo

The IoT Evolution Expo is coming up fast, and we interviewed several of our speakers to get a bit of a preview of what to expect from their sessions.

Here, we spoke to Steve Hanna, Senior Principal, Infineon. He currently co-chairs the Trusted Computing Group Embedded Systems Work Group and is involved in the TCG’s automotive, IoT and industrial IoT efforts. He previously was on the Technical Committee in the Trusted Computing Group and a member of the Security Area Directorate in the Internet Engineering Task Force and currently is involved in the Industrial Internet Consortium. He is the author of several IETF and TCG standards and published papers, an inventor or co-inventor on 41 issued U.S. patents, and a regular speaker at industry events such as Interop and the RSA Conference. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Harvard University.

He will be panelist in the “IoT Security General Session: Security Hype, Hysteria & Hope” at the IoT Evolution Expo, which is taking place January 29 to February 1, 2019, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

The general session will address how security is like an onion: it has several layers and sometimes cutting through the layers can make you cry. How do you implement a full strategy that covers everything from the physical security of sensors in the field to back end systems vulnerable to denial of service and other Internet based cyber attacks? This panel gets past the fear to speak about the practical.

To hear his talk, click here to register. Use code KEN19 to receive 25% off of your Super Pass.

Here is a little preview of his thoughts:

What will be some key points you plan to cover?

While IoT security is definitely a big problem, the problem is most often a business problem not a technical one. We know how to build secure IoT systems. The hard part is making strong IoT security affordable and easy to adopt. Today, the trend is to use an IoT platform that has strong security built in. That keeps costs manageable while speeding time to market.

Our new challenge is how to make IoT security visible to the consumer so they can make educated decisions about it. Several groups have developed IoT security marks: the IoT Security Foundation for consumer products, the International Society for Automation for industrial security, and UL for health care security. Even the European Union is looking at getting involved in this.

What new insights can attendees expect to take home?

Attendees can take home links and references to some of the main IoT security standards and best practices: IEC 62443, UL 2900, etc.

Can you identify a few important trends influencing your sector of the IoT which will shape the path of the industry? Why these?

Industrial IoT is converging quickly on the standards in IEC 62443 to provide a common basis for interoperability.

Which vertical markets have the most to gain from IoT implementation? Which are leading and which are still behind the adoption curve?

The business case drives adoption. Auto makers are moving quickly to adopt IoT because it enables autonomous driving, after-market sale of services, and inexpensive software updates. Smart street lights are also moving rapidly because they provide power savings and also the potential to turn capital expenses into operating expenses.

What session (other than yours) are you most looking forward to attending at the Expo? Why?

I’m looking forward to hearing the 5G connectivity session on Friday at noon. For IoT, 5G is a game changer.

Register now for the IoT Evolution Expo. Use code KEN19 to receive 25% off of your Super Pass.