Wi-SUN Alliance Newsletter - February 2018

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	Wi-SUN Alliance Newsletter February 2018
		Message from Phil Beecher, President and CEO Dear Wi-SUN Alliance Members, The Internet of Things (IoT) promises to transform business as we know it, but you don’t roll out a fourth industrial revolution without having a few hurdles to overcome. When scaling a network to unprecedented proportions, you scale its problems too, and one of the biggest concerns facing implementors today is security. In Wi-SUN’s recent research paper on attitudes to IoT, one thing came through loud and clear: most organizations see security as a barrier to adopting IoT technologies. This is not surprising: securing endpoints, networking equipment and servers on today’s enterprise infrastructures is daunting enough, but as networks scale to tens of millions of devices how can you ensure that your network is protected from rogue nodes trying to infiltrate the network? At DistribuTECH 2018, held last month in San Antonio, Texas, Wi-SUN members took the opportunity to meet at a Lunch and Learn workshop focused on securing IoT devices. The event was sponsored by GlobalSign (selected as Wi-SUN Alliance’s certificate authority) and featured presentations from Wi-SUN Alliance, GlobalSign, Intrinsic ID, and Renesas. IoT devices are not necessarily located in benign and physically secure environments but may be easily accessible and susceptible to physical tampering as well as cyber attacks. The scale of IoT networks makes the need for strong device authentication greater than ever. This year’s DistribuTECH highlighted the continuing innovation in addressing the challenges of Smart Grid and the contribution made by Wi-SUN Alliance member companies, with more exhibiting there than ever before, demonstrating new solutions to pressing problems. Solving the technical challenges isn’t the only thing we are doing in Wi-SUN Alliance. We are also ensuring that our message is reaching as many potential users as possible. There are many stakeholders in an IoT ecosystem, and many of them come from non-technical backgrounds. Earlier this month, I spoke at Smart Cities Expo in London to help spread the word about Wi-SUN Alliance. It is noteworthy that while utility companies understand the security challenges around IoT, many city planners are still learning about the issues and challenges faced in deploying technology for smart cities. It is important that Wi-SUN Alliance helps to educate and drive understanding of the background to Wi-SUN technology, so that customers are ready to engage in those discussions and embrace the solutions that we are developing. Wi-SUN is driving these conversations with events like the GlobalSign workshop, and with other initiatives like our new Ambassador Program. Read more details about that below. We would like to know how your organization is promoting knowledge about IoT’s challenges and solutions, and how can we help you with those conversations? Email us at info@wi-sun.org and let us know. Phil Beecher President and CEO Wi-SUN Webinar Series Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 27th 2018 at 8:00AM PST for a free webinar on the Wi-SUN FAN certification process. Certification is a key indicator that product vendors are committed to delivering interoperable products; however ensuring your product is compliant may seem complex. The Wi-SUN Alliance is eager to help and address your concerns! Register here today to learn more about the importance of certification and the steps you need to take to navigate the process. New Members We welcome our new member companies: Azbil, Cloudly IO, Criterion Network Labs, EnerNex, Indra, Lactec, Milandr, Netklass Technology. Key Events since our last newsletter UK Security Expo- Nov 29-30, London LPWA America –Dec 5, San Jose, CA DistribuTECH 2018 – Jan. 23-25, San Antonio, TX Smart Cities UK - Feb 1, London IEEE - Feb 6, Singapore Q1 2018 Highlights Wi-SUN Alliance had strong presence at DistribuTECH 2018. We gathered over 100 leads at our booth and had approximately 20 attendees at the GlobalSign Lunch and Learn event including an in-depth media briefing with Greentech Media. Wi-SUN in the News Wi-SUN Alliance continues to make the news - please see the following articles: Infosecurity: https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/security-biggest-barrier-smart Security Week: http://www.securityweek.com/corporate-iot-implementation-struggling-survey-finds Internet of Business: https://internetofbusiness.com/enabling-iot-second-most-important-priority-2018-wi-sun/ Components in Electronics: http://www.cieonline.co.uk/half-of-organisations-undertaking-iot-projects-have-fully-implemented-strategy-but-concerns-over-security-lack-of-funding-and-commitment-wi-sun-alliance-research-shows/ Smart Grid Today: https://www.smartgridtoday.com/public/WiSUN-Alliance-finds-utilities-at-head-of-IOT-rollouts.cfm IoT Now: https://www.iot-now.com/2018/01/29/75961-open-standards-interoperability-key-smart-city-growth/ Smart City UK: http://www.smartcityuk.com/blogs ITSInternational: http://www.itsinternational.com/sections/transmart/features/smarter-transport-remains-key-to-smart-cities/ Compare the Cloud: https://www.comparethecloud.net/articles/iot-networks-standards-cloud-value/ IoT study articles in Denmark/Sweden: Ingenioren: https://ing.dk/artikel/svenskerne-sejler-danmark-agterud-brug-iot-209214 Fodevarefokus: http://www.fodevarefokus.dk/danmark-bagefter-paa-iot-implementering/ Jernindustri: https://www.jernindustri.dk/article/view/581952/ny_aktor_blander_sig_i_iotkrigen?ref=rss# Check out Wi-SUN's latest blog features Visit https://www.wi-sun.org/index.php/blog for the latest Wi-SUN blogs: Global organisations storm ahead with IoT implementations but challenges persist Why security will be the key to the longevity of the Internet of Things Four Essential Facts about Wi-SUN; IoT’s Most Proven Network Technology IoT Attitudes Research Results Member Meeting – Charlotte, NC – March 21-22, 2018 This spring the Wi-SUN Alliance All Members' Meeting will be hosted by EPRI at their facility in Charlotte, NC. The meeting will be held over two days with a full agenda featuring technical working sessions and a comprehensive marketing track. The meeting is open to all Wi-SUN Alliance members - please click here to register to attend. Upcoming Events India Smart Grid Week - March 5-9, New Delhi (Conference and Exhibition) Light+Building Show –March 18-23, Frankfurt (Exhibition) Member Meeting - March 21-22, Charlotte Wireless Technology Park (Wireless Japan) – May 23-25, Tokyo (Conference and Exhibition) LPWA World 2018 - May 22-23, London (Conference and Exhibition) Asia Utility Week – June 27-28, Bangkok (Conference and Exhibition) For more information, please visit Wi-SUN Alliance website or email us at info@wi-sun.org Follow us on social media: www.linkedin.com Wi-SUN Alliance Group T witter: @WiSunAlliance