Securing Vulnerable IoT Infrastructure Using Blockchain
By: Syed Bari
Tags: IoT, Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Digital Twin

Industrial control systems of various sectors have been attacked by hackers several times in the past decades. Historically, cyberattacks were mostly hidden from the public. However, these threats still remain very real. As enterprises switch to remote-controlled systems, especially in this COVID-19 stricken world, the threat becomes even deadlier. To combat this, we need disruptive technologies such as blockchain to protect the future of IoT-based infrastructure.

Industries have slowly migrated their Industrial control systems to IoT devices. But apart from these markets, retail consumers face the very same threats. These devices can be found in our everyday lives. We have IoT equipment in our house, streets, and sometimes even on our bodies through smartwatches and mobile devices. Hackers have greatly evolved and it is finally time to strike back by introducing defensive strategies and devices that can counteract these threats.

The Problem — Critical infrastructure remains insecure amid a rise in cyberattacks

A power grid was temporarily disabled two times in the past five years in Ukraine. In 2010, the famous Stuxnet malware damaged one-fifth of the nuclear centrifuges in Iran. In 2009, Chinese hackers conducted a coordinated attack targeting several energy, oil, and petrochemical companies in the U.S.

Cyberattacks On IOT Devices Surge 300% In 2019

IoT chip maker Advantech confirms ransomware attack

US Declares National Emergency As Foreign Hackers Threaten U.S. Power Grid.

We can see that hackers entrench almost every industry and sector in the world. As long as it is connected to the internet, they will find a way to get access. Moreover, they will relentlessly test, experiment, and attack any network until it is finally breached. The truth is that hackers have a radical advantage compared to modern defensive cyber solutions and the fact that the world is progressing towards full digitalization does not provide us with comfort. Critical infrastructure is not safe at all from attacks, as they can potentially turn harm on the cyber plane into physical consequences in the real world.

Researchers from the Finnish IT security company F-Secure made a scary discovery in 2019. According to a report titled ‘Attack Landscape H1 2019,’ it was revealed that the number of attacks increased by three times in just the first half of the year, causing $600 billion in damages. Highly popular exploits that devastated networks all over the world, such as WannaCry and EternalBlue, still wreaked havoc on a multitude of unpatched servers.

So far, decentralized blockchain networks appear to be the only solution to this problem. A report by Infosys which reviews the influence of blockchain technology on the oil and gas industries concludes that decentralization may help energy companies with several challenges.

The transportation, structure, validation, and safety of data has vastly shifted while the frequency and quality of cyberattacks have equally increased. Blockchain could help by securing data formats, reducing fraudulent transactions, and increasing interoperability. More than that, blockchain networks can provide a uniform platform where companies can exchange both data and value in a completely secure way.

The solution — Blockchain Internet of Things

But how can the disruptive technology specifically provide a stable and defensive framework for streaming data across IoT-based infrastructure? Besides industries, how can medical and retail users access these solutions? After all, such a device must be widely available and ready to be implemented at any moment.

In the case of BDATA, a blockchain IOT solution provider based in Canada, users have the chance to turn their data immutable, scalable, and cryptographically secured. Their end-to-end blockchain devices for IoT infrastructure come with SIM and eSIM support, ensuring secure remote monitoring for retail and enterprise-level use cases. An extensive list of features enables users to utilize the products as IoT devices in private blockchain networks.

By the end of 2022, the global IoT market is expected to reach $1.1 trillion. The sector will be further boosted with the help of 5G technology, which is predicted to fully cover North America by 2025. Together, they will create a surge of interest in deploying remotely operated IoT systems such as mining operations, surgeries, pumping systems, autonomous vehicles, etc.

Named BIOT (Blockchain Internet of Things), BDATA’s gateway products deliver high-quality network solutions for protecting critical infrastructure by leveraging blockchain technology. Embedded with SIM and ESIM slots, they provide scalable and cryptographically secured networks that protect IoT data communications.

Blockchain Enable IoT Gateway Device

The BIOT BDE-100–9AP-IA is the first device in the product lines that provide secure IoT gateways for smart factories and buildings. They are perfected for machine and industrial automation in the cases of process analytics, predictive equipment failure, artificial intelligence and deep learning driven edge computing applications. The device supports AWS, AZURE, IBM, Oracle and other major cloud networks.

BIOT BDE-100–9AP-IA

BIOT SYS-E100–9W-H

Blockchain Enable Programmable Logic Control (PLC)

An edge programmable industrial controller, opto 22 groov EPIC is much more than a PLC or a PAC.

It offers a reliable real-time industrial controller and a processor to collect, process, display, and exchange data.

We have enabled groov EPIC to provide secure immutable data streaming using BIoT technology. BDATA’s blockchain enable secure connectivity ensures that all the data is being transferred in the form of hashes and only readable by the peers deployed on the BDATA’s blockchain network.

This enables customers to have secure remote monitoring and secure remote operation by combining BIoT technology with 5G to ensure <1sec data latency.

BIOT — groov EPIC

Final Word

IoT infrastructure represents an extension of modern industrial systems. As innovative new technologies appear, enterprises and retail consumers switch more and more to digital frameworks that require remote operation. Since cyberattacks represent a real-world threat to various industries, such as energy markets, it is necessary to protect the flow of data.

By leveraging blockchain technology, industry systems can ensure a heightened state of security and stability with the help of cryptographically encrypted networks. Solutions such as the blockchain-based gateway devices from BDATA guarantee the safety and utility of IoT networks. With the new line of BIOT (Blockchain Internet of Things) products, both major industries and retail consumers can integrate these solutions for numerous use cases that require remote operation. These include industrial automation, smart factories, and edge computing.

With the help of the Canada-based IoT solutions provider, the world can finally have access to scalable, decentralized, and secure infrastructure. With a product line that already counts three gateway devices, BDATA plans to take the world by storm.