DNP and Nihon Unisys Group Jointly Develop Authentication System That Produces High Security IoT environment on "Microsoft Azure" Cloud Platform

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP), Nihon Unisys, Ltd. (Nihon Unisys) andUniadex Ltd. (Uniadex), a 100% subsidiary of Nihon Unisys, will jointly developa Secure Application Module (SAM)¹, and peripheral system targetingthe Internet of Things (IoT) that incorporate authentication functions for accessingAzure IoT Hub. This authentication system connects, manages and controls numerousInternet of Things (IoT) devices on the Microsoft cloud platform "MicrosoftAzure". Overall security is expected to be strengthened further, as a resultof this development.

[Development]

According to a survey conducted by the Cisco Internet Business SolutionsGroup, the number of IoT devices is forecast to rise to 50 billion units by2020, with numerous devices expected to see broad-based installation and usage.At the same time, devices that have not been properly monitored, and are notmaintained at the latest security status, will be at risk of damage from intrusion,data theft and information tampering as a result of direct attacks by maliciousthird-parties. In line with the expansion in IoT there have been demands tofurther strengthen security measures in order to prevent such events. AzureIoT Hub makes it possible to use security credentials and access controls ona device-by-device basis to ensure secured communications when sending information,via sensors etc. Security credentials are stored in the memory of the IoT deviceproper, but it has become necessary to store such credentials in a safer locationin order to protect devices from direct attack.

In order to solve these challenges, DNP and Nihon Unisys Group will startto jointly develop an authentication system that facilitates the use of AzureIoT Hub in environments that require high security, such as the manufacturingindustry, and financial institutions.

[Product Features]  

DNP will apply the digital security technology accumulated in its smart cardbusiness, and develop an SAM that is compliant with Azure IoT Hub. Nihon UnisysGroup will be engaged in the development of peripheral systems, such as IoTuniversal device platform and gateway devices needed in forwarding IoT devicedata to Azure IoT Hub.

• It is possible to use Azure IoT Hub, while maintaining high-level security.
• By safely storing the information necessary for authentication in SAM,it is possible to prevent tampering with the equipment, software or data,as well as identity theft, and as a result, realize high-level informationsecurity.

It is planned that these peripheral systems will acquire Microsoft AzureCertified for IoT Program accreditation, the certification program for AzureIoT Hub.

[Looking Ahead]

DNP and Nihon Unisys Group, will fully examine functionality through theirmarketing activities, and will forge ahead and commercialize these initiativesin spring 2017, aiming for sales of approximately 1.0 billion yen by FY 2018.

Comment from Mr. Hisashi Sato, Senior Director, BG Lead, Cloud & EnterpriseBusiness Group at Microsoft Japan.

We welcome the joint efforts by DNP and Nihon Unisys Group in the developmentof an authentication system that further improves the security properties of"Azure IoT Hub". Microsoft Azure, with its high security cloud platform andthe authentication system developed by the partners that links IoT devices,will provide a safe and secure IoT environment to even more users, and I lookforward to seeing them contribute to business innovation at our clients.

1 SAM: A module incorporating an application that maintains securityfunctions for the protection of confidential information, data encryption andauthentication on a secure IC chip.

DNP has positioned Knowledge and Communication, Food and Healthcare, Lifestyleand Mobility, and the Environment and Energy as business growth areas, and isengaged in the creation of new values. As part of those efforts, the Companyis strengthening information security responses for which there is a growingsocial need, and provides a variety of information security solutions, includingconsulting and marketing.

* Microsoft Azure is the registered trademark or trademark of MicrosoftCorporation in the US and other nations.

* Company and product names listed in this release are the trademarks orregistered trademarks of those companies.

* Product prices, specification and service contents mentioned in this newsrelease are current as of the date of publication. They may be changed at anytime without notice.