Luxembourg is setting up a platform dedicated to the protection of connected objects and is launching a media campaign on the subject until April 25, 2021. This will raise the awareness of the general public to the cyber risks of connected objects. A dedicated website has also been launched.
Photo: Today, there are nearly 35 billion IoTs worldwide. By 2025, their number is expected to cross the 150 billion mark / Credits © Shutterstock
In partnership with the Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Systèmes d’Information (ANSSI), CASES Luxembourg, the Syndicat Intercommunal de Gestion Informatique (SIGI), POST Luxembourg and the Representation of the European Commission in the Grand Duchy, the platform raises awareness among the general public about the potential cyber dangers of connected objects (IoT) and their use.
The IoT or Internet of Things includes all the sensors and objects connected to the Internet and allows our physical environment to be remotely controlled.
These objects connected to the Internet are now present in everyday human activities (home automation, household appliances, bracelets and connected watches), as well as in the fields of health and industry (Industry 4.0).
Soon 150 billion IoT devices
Today, there are nearly 35 billion IoTs worldwide. By 2025, their number is expected to cross the 150 billion mark. And this is especially “thanks to the 5G mobile network, which offers a larger available spectrum and higher overall bandwidth allowing a massive amount of IoT devices to connect,” says Thorsten Ries, Head of CyberDefense at POST Luxembourg.
“These ever-increasing interconnections are all potential security vulnerabilities, and the large amounts of data processed and stored in the cloud are a target for some criminals,” the portal explains.
The site presents the different families, details their main risks and suggests best practices to protect against them. “Awareness is essential to establish the right reflexes and reactions to these threats,” explains Fabien Mathey, Head of CASES Luxembourg. “Dedicated to the general public and professionals, the tool also provides a set of communication tools for organizations and institutions, their employees, teachers, pupils and students as well as citizens.
“The SIGI’s member municipalities work with citizens’ data every day,” says Yves Wengler, its president. “It is therefore essential for SIGI to actively participate in this awareness campaign and to clearly inform our members about the potential risks inherent to connected objects.”
IoT and cybercrime
On March 25th, a Cybersecurity Breakfast entitled “IoT, the internet of threats” will also be organized on the theme of the internet of things and cybercrime.
From 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Pascal Steichen (CEO, SECURITYMADEIN.LU) will moderate a roundtable discussion with Shenglan Hu (Information Security Officer, POST Cyberforce), Lucas Fernandez (Head of Innovation, Champ Cargosystems S.A.), Arnaud Lambert (Director, Luxembourg Digital Innovation Hub, Luxinnovation) and Dr.-Ing. Christian Zenger (CEO, PHYSEC GmbH, Germany).
The governmental initiative CASES Luxembourg offers awareness actions, a web resource and other tools focusing on the understanding of information security issues faced by SMEs.
The Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Systèmes d’Information (ANSSI) is the local authority for the security of classified and unclassified information systems installed and operated by the State. ANSSI is part of the High Commission for National Protection (HCPN).
For its part, the Syndicat Intercommunal de Gestion Informatique (SIGI) creates business solutions for Luxembourg’s 101 municipalities, 60 inter-municipal syndicates, 30 social offices and 537 day-care centers.
