Global industry body the Smart Card Alliance has formed an Internet of Things Security Council with the stated aim being “to develop and promote best practices and provide educational resources on implementing secure IoT architectures using embedded security and privacy technology … through white papers, briefs, webinars, seminars, infographics, and a variety of other resource formats.”
The Alliance says the council will focus on IoT markets where security, safety and privacy are key requirements, and will leverage the expertise and knowledge gained from implementing embedded security technology across other industries to provide practical guidance for secure IoT implementations.
Specifically the Alliance says the IoT Security Council will work on projects to:
- Accelerate market adoption of secure IoT architectures that incorporate embedded security and privacy;
- Provide a forum for intra-industry and cross-industry collaboration on secure IoT architectures;
- Provide a business-focused organization to discuss best practices and implementation of IoT architectures using embedded security and privacy;
- Provide a single organization where all industry stakeholders can network, share implementation experiences, and discuss applications and security approaches;
- Identify and collaborate with other industry organizations to define and promote standards for secure IoT architectures using technologies that provide embedded security and privacy.
IoT Security Council launched with 62 members
The Alliance has provided a list of 62 members that will participate in the new council, but says membership is open to any of its more than 150 members. One of the Alliance’s first IoT activities will be a Security of Things conference to be held October 19-20, 2016 in Chicago. The event will focus on security, authentication and the Internet of Things.
Smart Card Alliance executive director, Randy Vanderhoof, said: “The Smart Card Alliance has a proven track record in bringing industries together to move technologies forward. We’ve had positive impacts in a many markets, propelling the use of EMV chip, NFC for mobile devices, contactless fare payment in transit systems, and secure PIV identity cards in government. The Alliance aims to do the same with IoT.
“The Internet of Things Security Council will provide a single forum where all industry stakeholders can network, share implementation experiences, and discuss applications and security approaches, as well as provide best practices and education to the industry to promote security and privacy.”
Vanderhoof added: “We want to encourage broad participation from IoT technology firms and device manufacturers to join the IoT Security Council. This is an ideal venue for organisations seeking an industry forum to promote security awareness, encourage the widespread adoption of security standards, and define best practices that will help protect and maintain privacy of IoT devices and the data they generate.”
