The missing Link: Enable the Internet of “Trusted” Things

Multiple industries are experiencing the surge of information on the Internet of Things. The constant news surrounding the IoT reminds me that it is changing not only our personal lives, but the IoT is also refining the way we work. Offices, hospitals, manufacturing facilities and college campuses are becoming smarter, making the workforce more mobile and connected than ever before. However, this increased connectivity has exposed the need for trust.

Adding trust allows security and facility practices to easily implement and embrace the IoT, without compromising the operational processes that are mandated or currently in place. For decades, RFID transponders have connected physical assets like manufacturing equipment, medical devices, inventory and many more to business applications.  Adding trust now makes it possible to physically and securely link fire and safety, heating, cooling and other facilities equipment or high-valued assets to current maintenance management systems.

The surge in IoT has further increased the need to network physical objects in order to collect and exchange data in a secure environment.  Our vision is to incorporate trusted identities to enable mobile workforces who must access data on facility assets to streamline management in an IoT ecosystem… without exposing new threats. Automating numerous smart building activities, such as maintenance and inspection management, marks a major step in this direction.

With new solutions that combine mobile devices, trusted tags and cloud-authentication to secure IoT applications, users can simply tag equipment to link to cloud applications; this enables technicians to then use their mobile device to access cloud maintenance management software (CMMS) applications by tapping the trusted tag placed on that equipment identified with a trusted unique ID.  Implementation is seamless with a simple web service call into the HID Trusted Tag Services cloud authentication platform.  This provides a streamlined mobile experience that secures the technician’s transactions using strong authentication credentials.

Using a mobile phone, the technician simply taps a trusted tag to the facility asset in need of repair for an easier and automated work order process. The service technician is instantly armed with work history, service requirements and any other relevant information to perform the job. Adding trust also improves billing by providing a digital stamp of service initiation and completion of work orders.

From the initial tap to initiate service to the tap closing the ticket, automating a previous manual process improves the workflow and minimizes the disruption of equipment productivity -- making it easier for teams to use and follow procedures. HID Global’s ability to automate service and maintenance calls using solutions that secure Internet of Things applications makes the entire process seamless and easier to manage for a more responsive, productive mobile workforce.

2016 has been a busy year for the Internet of Things and it is not going to slow down. HID Global will continue to be at the forefront of creating new opportunities to leverage the power of the IoT by adding trust to more “things” for more secure and connected buildings.