Press Releases

WISeKey’s semiconductors, NFTs, post quantum, blockchain solutions secure smart cities

February 14, 2023

Posted by: Janmesh Chintankar

Geneva, Switzerland – WISeKey International Holding, a cybersecurity, AI and IoT company, has announced that its security chips are being used to protect all sort of IoT devices connecting smart cities, such as #drones and their captured images, satellite communications and logistics sensors. These semiconductors, when placed on any object, securely issue NFTs to authenticate and track the object, much like an embedded ePassport, and confirm the identity of the object on the blockchain ledger.

Smart cities benefit from the billions of WISeKey’s secure chips already embedded in high-tech products and goods to protect data, communication and firmware against cyberattacks. These include routers, modems, traffic lights, 5G equipment, energy smart metres, drones and medical devices, to mention a few.

Smart cities rely on interconnected communication networks, meaning that a security breach on one system can affect the whole city. IoT can help secure smart cities by implementing the following measures:

  1. Automatically updating security software: By using IoT-powered systems, cities can implement a patch management system that would monitor and automatically update the security protocols of all systems and networks in the city.
  2. Improved perimeter security: IoT-enabled sensors and cameras can be placed around the city to monitor important locations and provide real-time alerts on potential threats.
  3. Improved traffic flows: IoT-enabled traffic systems can help to analyse traffic flows and identify any potential security threats quickly.
  4. Automated identity checks: Advanced biometric systems can automate identity checks and enhance the security of the city’s borders.
  5. Improved data management: IoT-enabled systems can be used to collect, analyse and store data securely, with tight access control and encryption protocols in place.
  6. Enhanced real-time monitoring: With IoT-enabled systems, cities can monitor their systems in real-time, allowing for faster detection of security breaches and more effective responses.

Post quantum chips can be used to protect smart cities by increasing key exchange speeds, providing greater security against quantum computer attacks, and reducing vulnerability to human error, malicious actors, and system malfunctions. When combined with other existing cybersecurity measures, post quantum chips can significantly strengthen the defenses of smart cities.

In order to make use of post quantum chips, a city’s systems must be upgraded to include quantum-resistant encryption algorithms, which can be integrated with existing systems. This would allow for faster, more secure data transmission between different smart city systems. Additionally, post quantum chips can help strengthen network credibility by ensuring that all data transmitted is cryptographically secure and cannot be altered or accessed without the correct key.

Finally, post quantum chip-based systems are designed with an emphasis on resilience, which is key for smart cities that rely on other connected “things” such as sensors, cameras, and software applications. A resilient system can quickly identify and manage errors or address malicious activities, thus keeping a city safe from potential cyber-attacks. The added protection provided by post quantum chips also allows a city to implement more complex cybersecurity measures.

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