Securing the security industry

Connectivity has become increasingly important in recent years, including in the security sector. Koen de Rooij, General Manager Benelux ADI Global: “There was a huge need among our partners and the security installer to be able to integrate their solutions into a platform in a safe and flexible way.” Floris van Amerongen, director of IoT unlimited: “T-Mobile and ADI wanted to work together to offer smart and secure connectivity services to ADI’s partners. Both T-Mobile and ADI have a strong partner strategy and IoT unlimited has made this possible as an enabler with its flexible distribution and security platform, acting as a bridge between the two major parties (MCM as a service). We help companies meet their IoT needs with a network-independent platform that incorporates existing networks and SIM cards. This way we can realize growth in a beautiful, but above all safe way for our customers. In our partnership with ADI, we are stepping into security industry security.”

When thinking of SIM cards, most people think of mobile phones. How are SIM cards used in security?

Floris: “In principle, SIM cards are often used in the security world as back-up solutions for stand-alone projects. For example, with alarm systems to guarantee a connection to the control room via 4G or 5G. But it is also possible for IP cameras that are used to secure remote places where there is no internet (yet), such as construction sites. A third application is the use of SIM cards in personal security, in mobile emergency buttons.” T-Mobile supplies the SIM cards and connects them to the IoT unlimited connectivity platforms. Floris explains: “This platform makes it easier for installers to activate, manage and monitor services remotely. Users can log in at different levels with different rights and the installer can grant access to partners and even end users. An additional advantage of our independent platform is that we are able to integrate already delivered systems (read: SIM cards) from other suppliers into one platform. This gives our partner the advantage that we can work with all additional functionalities within a management environment.”

What role exactly does security play in IoT?

Floris: “A very important one. What you often see with IoT is that some ‘dumber’ devices are used in the field: devices that cannot connect to the internet. It is precisely then that you want to be sure that the security is in order, so that the data traffic, the communication between the devices, cannot be manipulated or influenced. Via our SAM platform (Secure Access Management platform), we ensure that traffic from the source arrives safely at your company network. In addition, we are able to determine, in consultation with the ADI partner, what is or is not possible with a SIM card in order to prevent misuse. An important trend we are seeing now relates to remote access to systems. There is a shortage of personnel in almost all technical branches. With our SAM platform, we enable partners to access their systems remotely. In some cases, this prevents a trip to a customer location, something that is very valuable nowadays. With this solution, we are also building an independent solution from the hardware supplier, so that the partner has access to all systems in the field via a single platform/solution.”

Construction site security

Construction site security is a good example of IoT in the security industry. There are many cameras on construction sites that allow you to monitor the safety of the construction site. All these cameras send large amounts of data to a central, secure platform. You need stable and reliable connectivity to receive and process that data. And flexible partners who can switch quickly and who can offer the right solutions at the right times at different locations. Because nothing is as changeable as a construction site.

IoT use case

Would you like to know more about the partnership of IoT unlimited together with T-Mobile Ondernemen and ADI Global Distribution and see a practical example of construction site security? Then watch the IoT reference video at the top of this article.