Spanish telecom giant Telefónica has launched the IoT Cybersecurity Unit, a new project focused on the securing the internet of things, the telco said in a release.
The new unit combines the company’s capabilities in both the cybersecurity and IoT fields.
Telefonica’s IoT Cybersecurity Unit will have the main aim of expanding the existing catalogue of IoT products and services offered to customers. The unit will also focus on the development of new IoT security solutions to cater to the existing and emerging threats faced by businesses deploying IoT.
This unit will leverage Telefonica’s existing network infrastructure and the Kite Platform, an IoT connectivity management platform that allows businesses to improve efficiencies while reducing costs, the Spanish carrier said.
As part of the new solutions developed by this new initiative, Telefónica, via its ElevenPaths cybersecurity unit, has expanded its collaboration with Subex, a company specializing in analytic solutions for the telecommunications sector with whom it already offers a Fraud Management as-a-service solution (FMaaS). The new scope of collaboration extends to analysis of the data traffic generated by IoT devices, and detection of specific threats in this field.
Subex’s IoT-specific platform is capable of analyzing traffic by applying machine-learning algorithms, generating an alert every time it detects a threat that jeopardizes cybersecurity of the IoT device.
“Cybersecurity has become one of the companies’ priorities. We are seeing the emergence of a culture around security that is sensitive to processes, strategies and methods designed to minimize risks while increasing value. This collaboration with Subex represents a step forward in our strategy of helping companies protect their investments, assets, and credibility”, said Pedro Pablo Pérez, CEO of ElevenPaths and VP of Global Security at Telefónica.
“This agreement will add a new dimension to that relationship by enabling us to work together on securing the IoT ecosystem”, said Vinod Kumar, CEO of Subex. “Amidst all kinds of attacks by cybercriminals and other groups, we want to protect the ecosystem and ensure that IoT projects deliver value. I am confident that IoT businesses will derive significant benefits from our joint efforts”.
Telefonica’s new IoT Cybersecurity Unit will also offer management of secure credentials for devices and DNS security. In addition, it has adapted part of its catalogue of generic cybersecurity solutions to IoT, such as SandaS for the management of GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) capacities, or CyberThreats for the early detection and identification of Internet threats.
