DNP and Nihon Unisys Group Jointly Develop Authentication System That Produces High Security IoT environment on "Microsoft Azure" Cloud Platform
June 2, 2016
Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP), Nihon Unisys, Ltd. (Nihon Unisys) andUniadex Ltd. (Uniadex), a 100% subsidiary of Nihon Unisys, will jointly develop a Secure Application Module (SAM)1, and peripheral system targeting the Internet of Things (IoT) that incorporate authentication functions for accessingAzure IoT Hub.
This authentication system connects, manages and controls numerousInternet of Things (IoT) devices on the Microsoft cloud platform "MicrosoftAzure". Overall security is expected to be strengthened further, as a result of this development.
- 1 SAM: A module incorporating an application that maintains security functions for the protection of confidential information, data encryption and authentication on a secure IC chip. DNP has positioned Knowledge and Communication, Food and Healthcare, Lifestyle and Mobility, and the Environment and Energy as business growth areas, and is engaged in the creation of new values. As part of those efforts, the Company is strengthening information security responses for which there is a growing social need, and provides a variety of information security solutions, including consulting and marketing.
Background
According to a survey conducted by the Cisco Internet Business SolutionsGroup*, the number of IoT devices is forecast to rise to 50 billion units by2020, with numerous devices expected to see broad-based installation and usage.At the same time, devices that have not been properly monitored, and are not maintained at the latest security status, will be at risk of damage from intrusion, data theft and information tampering as a result of direct attacks by malicious third-parties. In line with the expansion in IoT there have been demands to further strengthen security measures in order to prevent such events.
AzureIoT Hub makes it possible to use security credentials and access controls on a device-by-device basis to ensure secured communications when sending information, via sensors etc. Security credentials are stored in the memory of the IoT device proper, but it has become necessary to store such credentials in a safer location in order to protect devices from direct attack.
In order to solve these challenges, DNP and Nihon Unisys Group will start to jointly develop an authentication system that facilitates the use of AzureIoT Hub in environments that require high security, such as the manufacturing industry, and financial institutions.
*Cisco IBSG (Internet Business Solutions Group) survey, 2011
[Product Features]
DNP will develop SAM compatible with Azure IoT Hub by applying the digital security technology it has cultivated in its smart card business. Nihon Unisys Group will develop peripheral systems such as IoT general-purpose device platforms and gateways for transmitting IoT device information to Azure IoT Hub.
■ It is possible to use Azure IoT Hub, while maintaining high-level security.
■ By safely storing the information necessary for authentication in SAM, it is possible to prevent tampering with the equipment, software or data, as well as identity theft, and as a result, realize high-level information security.
It is planned that these peripheral systems will acquire Microsoft AzureCertified for IoT Program accreditation, the certification program for AzureIoT Hub.
[Conceptual diagram of a highly secure platform using this product]
[Looking Ahead]
DNP and Nihon Unisys Group, will fully examine functionality through their marketing activities, and will forge ahead and commercialize these initiatives in spring 2017, aiming for sales of approximately 1.0 billion yen by FY 2018.
The product will be exhibited as a reference at BITS2016, a comprehensive event for the Nihon Unisys Group, to be held at the ANA InterContinental Hotel Tokyo on Thursday, June 2nd and Friday, June 3rd, 2016. The product will also be used to strengthen the security of the IoT Business Platform that the Nihon Unisys Group is currently developing.
Comment from Mr. Hisashi Sato, Senior Director, BG Lead, Cloud & EnterpriseBusiness Group at Microsoft Japan.
Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd.
Cloud & Enterprise Business Division
Corporate Officer and General Manager, Mr. Hisashi Sato
We welcome the joint efforts by DNP and Nihon Unisys Group in the development of an authentication system that further improves the security properties of"Azure IoT Hub". Microsoft Azure, with its high security cloud platform and the authentication system developed by the partners that links IoT devices, will provide a safe and secure IoT environment to even more users, and I look forward to seeing them contribute to business innovation at our clients.
Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. Headquarters: Tokyo President: Kitajima Yoshitoshi Capital: 114.4 billion yen
Nihon Unisys, Ltd. Headquarters: Tokyo President: Akiyoshi Hiraoka Capital: 5.4 billion yen
Uniadex Co., Ltd. Headquarters: Tokyo President: Tsuneo Azuma Capital: 700 million yen
- DNP is currently working to create new value in the growth areas of "Knowledge and Communication," "Food and Healthcare," "Lifestyle and Mobility," and "Environment and Energy." As part of this, we are strengthening our response to information security, which is a growing social need, and providing a variety of information security solutions, including consulting and marketing.
- BITS is a registered trademark of Nihon Unisys, Ltd.
- Microsoft Azure is the registered trademark or trademark of MicrosoftCorporation in the US and other nations.
- Company and product names appearing in this release are the trademarksor registered trademarks of those companies.