Paris, 9 November 2017
Sopra Steria, a European leader in digital transformation, and IOTA, a German non-profit Foundation, are combining their talents to create a framework designed to optimise the security of connected objects.
Securing the IoT: a major challenge
The meteoric growth of the Internet of Things is a response to the constant demand for connectivity and new applications: simplifying everyday processes while creating new services. All sectors of activity are now impacted, whether health, transport or home automation. However, such progress brings with it more rigorous levels of control and verification: as denial-of-service attacks multiply, Europe is finding itself having to reconsider the security of the IoT and the networks used to fight this scourge. This observation led IOTA – a 100% open source innovation community – to mobilise the considerable know-how of its contributors to provide solutions for these new security needs. Blockchain not only addresses this need for security, but also practically demonstrates the tamper-proof nature of the identity of the connected objects – a real asset of this advanced technology.
Sopra Steria and IOTA: a win-win partnership
With the shared goal of securing IoT-specific information systems, Sopra Steria and IOTA have pooled their knowledge, skills and visions to create a framework.
With a pioneering track record in creating state-of-the-art Blockchain technology which is mature enough to be deployed on a large scale, IOTA has convinced Sopra Steria of its value thanks to its expertise in securing the links between connected objects.
For its part, Sopra Steria will not only provide access to a portfolio of specific customers within the industry, it will also allow IOTA to leverage its IoT skills and resources. This will enable IOTA to apply the full extent of Sopra Steria's extended security know-how to connected objects. Lastly, Sopra Steria has played a pioneering role as one of the first European integrators of Blockchain solutions, with many implementations to its credit.
Ultimately, the aim of this partnership is the creation of synergies between IOTA and Sopra Steria. Drawing on their respective skill sets, the two organisations aim to develop a range of increasingly efficient IoT-specific Blockchain solutions.
"Cybersecurity for connected objects remains a largely unexplored area, and that's where the most potential for making use of Blockchain lies," explains Alexandre Eich-Gozzi, Head of Blockchain Stream at Sopra Steria. "After all, the IoT is now an integral part of our everyday lives, and heightened security for terminals is an important issue. Benefits in the very near future will ensure that the partnership with IOTA drives the large-scale rollout of this Blockchain technology. "
"We're delighted to be partnering with Sopra Steria," adds David Sønstebø, co-founder of IOTA. "This partnership is confirmation of the legitimacy of IOTA, particularly with regard to the issue of IoT security. We've been pioneers in developing Blockchain technology; Sopra Steria has been one of the first to integrate it. So this is an entirely complementary partnership. We're keen to see the first practical results from this collaboration. "