IoT Device Cyber Security Certification via Segmented Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid growth of IoT devices poses challenges in certification due to their diverse functionalities and capabilities, making it difficult to ensure cyber security standards are met uniformly across various devices.
Innovation Solution
A cyber security-based certification system using an IoT device testing platform that assesses candidate IoT devices against three pluralities of cyber security criteria, granting corresponding certificates upon passing each assessment, covering documentation, network operation, and advanced security features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a uniform certification approach is applied to all IoT devices, then certification consistency is improved, but it fails to account for diverse device functionalities and capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the certification process into three distinct pluralities of cyber security criteria: Category 1 (documentation and policies), Category 2 (network operations and security configurations), and Category 3 (advanced security features and capabilities). This segmentation allows each category to be assessed independently according to device-specific requirements, resolving the contradiction between uniform certification consistency and adaptability to diverse device functionalities.
2Reliability
If comprehensive security criteria are applied to all devices, then security assessment thoroughness is improved, but certification complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by requiring devices to meet only the security criteria appropriate to their category and risk profile. Not all devices need to satisfy all three pluralities of criteria - the assessment is tailored to the device's specific functionality, network role, and security requirements. This maintains thoroughness where needed while reducing unnecessary complexity for simpler devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Different security assessment criteria are applied locally based on device characteristics. Category 1 criteria apply to all devices, Category 2 applies to network-connected devices, and Category 3 applies only to devices with advanced security capabilities. This local differentiation ensures comprehensive assessment where required while simplifying the process where appropriate.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pluralities of criteria are assessed, then coverage of security aspects is improved, but assessment time and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The three pluralities of criteria are segmented into distinct assessment phases that can be conducted sequentially or in parallel depending on device complexity. This segmentation allows assessors to efficiently progress through documentation review (Category 1), network assessment (Category 2), and advanced feature evaluation (Category 3) without unnecessary delays, improving coverage while managing time effectively.
Data Source
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AI summary
An IoT device testing platform is used to test a candidate IoT device with respect to a first plurality of cyber security criteria. A first certificate is granted for the device upon favorably passing that assessment with respect to the first plurality of cyber security criteria. Subsequent to granting that first certificate, the device is assessed with respect to a second plurality of cyber security criteria and a second certificate is granted when the device favorably passes that assessment. And then, subsequent to granting that second certificate, these teachings then provide for using the IoT device testing platform to test the candidate IoT device with respect to a third plurality of cyber security criteria and granting a third certificate for the candidate IoT device when the candidate IoT device favorably passes assessment with respect to the third plurality of cyber security criteria.