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(Image: Gemalto)
The use of blockchain-based technology to help secure Internet of Things (IoT) data, devices, and services doubled last year, a report from Gemalto has revealed.
Discussing the uptake of blockchain, Gemalto pointed to the technology as being useful while awaiting regulation.
Gemalto found that companies are calling on governments to intervene, with 79 percent of respondents asking for more robust guidelines on IoT security. 59 percent also want clarification on who is responsible for protecting IoT, with 95 percent believing there should be regulations in place.
“With no consistent regulation guiding the industry, it’s no surprise the threats — and, in turn, vulnerability of businesses — are increasing,” the report says. “This will only continue unless governments step in now to help industry avoid losing control.”
Respondents, Gemalto said, are mostly concerned with determining who is responsible for securing data at each stage of the IoT. 59 percent of respondents also want clarity over the methods that should be used to secure the IoT, with 53 percent wanting transparency in regards to what the implications are for non-compliance.
50 percent of those surveyed by Gemalto said their organisation uses IoT devices created by a third party and 33 percent use IoT devices that are created internally.
Where challenges in securing IoT products are concerned, the report unsurprisingly says the most likely challenges respondents will report are related to ensuring data privacy and that large amounts of data are collected.
31 percent said balancing user experience with security is a challenge, with 30 percent also saying ensuring software updates are secure is another one.
Thales clearing regulatory hurdles to acquire Gemalto
Aerospace giant Thales recently received approval from both the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Mexican competition authority (Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica) to scoop up Gemalto.
Together with antitrust clearances obtained in China, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, and the European Union, and clearances relating to foreign investments in Australia, Canada, and the United States, the pair of companies have now obtained 11 of the required 14 Regulatory Clearances for the acquisition.
“Thales and Gemalto continue to work constructively with the competent antitrust authorities to obtain the remaining merger control Regulatory Clearances in Russia and the United States,” Thales said. “In addition, Thales and Gemalto are seeking Regulatory Clearance relating to foreign investments from the competent authority in Russia.”
The purchase was announced in March last year, with Gemalto being offered €51.00 per share under the terms of the transaction.
The acquisition was slated for the end of 2018, after it was pushed from the original August deadline. The companies expect the deal to be finalised by the end of Q1 2019.
“By combining their businesses, Gemalto and Thales have the intention to create a leading global player in digital security,” Thales said previously.
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