The global non-profit initiative Securing Smart Cities, which aims to solve digital security challenges faced by “smart cities», issued guidelines for the adoption of corresponding technologies, which were drafted within the framework of its collaboration with the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA).
The Securing Smart Cities guide, which includes these guidelines, provides organizations with an overview of the essential elements required to implement the best technological solutions, with the lowest possible risk and the smallest possible exposure to digital threats.
The global market for «smart cities» technologies is expected to grow from $411.31 million in 2014 to $1,134.4 billion by 2019 [i].
Therefore, the guide of the Securing Smart Cities initiative provides guidelines for public and private organizations, which will help in the design and organization of the selection and validation of “smart city” technologies.
In this context, it describes the types of tests and assessments that must be taken into account for the selection of the best and most secure suppliers and technologies.
“Technology is already at the core of our cities. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and it is extremely important that it is well protected and safe, if we do not want to end up in chaos. As already described in the research titled “An Emerging US (and World) Threat: Cities Wide Open to Cyber Attacks”, cities are today open to digital attacks. The guidelines we have developed constitute a useful and practical tool, so that organizations worldwide can adopt new technologies safely”
said Cesar Cerrudo, member of the Board of Directors of the Securing Smart Cities initiative and CTO of IOActive.
“Humanity has decided to create a «Utopia», which we call a «smart city». This will propel our development and performance to unprecedented levels, with the help of information systems and technologies. The development of cities in this way represents a huge commitment and challenge for all involved, from citizens to organizations. Therefore, we must develop, operate and defend our resources in the best possible way and as efficiently as possible, choosing the most effective and secure technologies. This is exactly what our guidelines concern”
stated Mohamad Amin Hasbini, a specialist at Kaspersky Lab, who is actively participating in the Securing Smart Cities initiative.
“Cities are adopting new capabilities that offer great opportunities to enhance citizen safety, rationalize and improve customer service, and reduce overall costs. The «smart cities» are paving the way for the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, which will connect widespread sensors via cloud, to collect relevant data and automate decision‑making processes. The «smart» cities are very promising, yet at the same time a risk emerges through this new connectivity. The CSA Working Group for IoT is proud of its collaboration with the Securing Smart Cities initiative, which has led to the development of important guidelines for adopting related technologies, in an effort to provide the knowledge required for utilization that is characterized by security”
added Brian Russell, one of the leaders of the CSA Working Group for IoT and Chief Engineer, Cyber Security Solutions at Lidos.
The guide with the Securing Smart Cities guidelines covers the following topics:
• Selection of Technology Solutions
o Design and Programming Stage
o Vulnerability History
o Security Solution Provider
o Product Management
o Testing and Verification
• Implementation, Operation and Maintenance of Technological Solutions
o Implementation
o Operation and Maintenance
• Technology Rejection
The full version of the guidelines guide is available on the website: https://securingsmartcities.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Guidlines_for_Safe_Smart_Cities.pdf
More information and news about the activities of the Securing Smart Cities initiative are available at: https://securingsmartcities.org.
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Marketsandmarkets.com – Smart Cities Market by Smart Home, Intelligent Building Automation, Energy Management, Smart Healthcare, Smart Education, Smart Water, Smart Transportation, Smart Security, & by Services – Worldwide Market Forecasts and Analysis (2014 – 2019) – https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/smart-cities.asp
