Network Communications News (NCN) October 2017 | Page 13

ON THE CASE
A Landmark
Development
Wi-SUN selects GlobalSign to provide
certificate authority services
The Wi-SUN Alliance has announced it has selected GlobalSign, a global Certificate Authority
and specialist provider of identity and security solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), to
provide Certificate Authority (CA) services to Wi-SUN Alliance member companies. Every
device that connects to the Wi-SUN Field Area Network (FAN) must include a certificate in
order to authenticate its entry; this agreement will appoint GlobalSign as the exclusive third-
party supplier of certificates for the Wi-SUN FAN certification program to more than 150 Wi-
SUN product companies. In selecting GlobalSign, Wi-SUN Allience evidence its commitment to
making security central to its IoT networking strategy.
“Many countries across the world will soon become reliant on the Internet of Things to
deliver their electricity, control their street lighting, provide traffic management and many more
common tasks to improve the quality of life for their citizens. However, the use of technology
also increases the risk of hacking so network security is paramount,” says Phil Beecher,
chairman, Wi-SUN Alliance. “Certificate-based authentication is similar to a biometric passport
in that it verifies that devices have not been tampered with or reprogrammed and will prevent
any compromised devices from re-joining the network and causing any disruption, providing a
level of security unsurpassed by other IoT technologies.”
“Wi-SUN Alliance member companies are deploying globally tens of millions of compatible
IoT devices so it is essential that a Certificate Authority can operate at this scale. This is
something GlobalSign is already experienced in doing. The partnership with GlobalSign is a
significant step in our Field Area Network (FAN) certification program and demonstrates our
commitment to lead the way in IoT communications technology, ensuring that security is
central to our strategy,” adds Beecher.
A key factor in the Wi-SUN Alliance’s choice was GlobalSign’s strong ties to the electric
grid marketplace, where GlobalSign’s long-standing commitment gives the company a deep
understanding of the needs of the community within it, including the fact that its chief product
officer, Lila Kee, is a board member of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB).
“Wi -SUN ’ s work in es ta b l is h ing co m m u nic at io n s ta n d a rd s i s u n d o u bte d l y i n d u st r y
le ad i ng in the Util ity a nd S m a r t Cit y s p a c e ,” s a id L a nce n L a c h a n c e , v i c e p re si d e nt , p ro d u ct
management, Io T ident it y s o l u t io ns , G l o b a l Sign. “Wi- S UN’ s v i si o n a n d fo ret h o u g ht to
establi s h s ta n da rds for inte ro p e ra b l e s e c u r it y into c r i t i c a l i nf ra st r u ct u re i s e sse nt i a l to
grow a s afe, rel ia bl e, conne cte d e co s y s te m .  We ’ re l o o k i n g fo r wa rd to wo r k i n g w i t h W i -
SU N’s member compa nie s to inco r p o rate Io T s e c u r it y a n d i d e nt i t y i nto t h e i r h i g h sc a l e , h i g h
valu e environ ments .”
More information: Wi-SUN Alliance 0203 290 3047, wi-sun.org
Dubbed Birmingham’s
answer to Canary Wharf,
Three Snowhill is a landmark
office building at the
gateway to the Birmingham
Business District. The final
element of the renowned
Snowhill estate, set to
house 4000 workers, is
result of £200 million deal
between M&G Real Estate
and Developer Ballymore.
GBE Fire & Security
has been appointed by BAM
Construction to the 420,000
sq ft, 18-storey office
block to design, supply,
install and commission
the fire, disabled alarms,
CCTV, access control,
data network and gas
suppression systems.
Priding themselves
on delivering expert life
safety and security design,
installation and support
services for bespoke
systems, GBE says it is
excited to be working
closely with partners
Honeywell, for the Gent
fire alarm system, and
Vox Ignis for disabled
refuge and WC alarms.
Also, Nedap providing the
security management
system, HIK the CCTV and
Brigit Gas supplier of Gas
Suppression.
Paul Walsh, business
development manager, GBE,
comments, “We’re extremely
proud to be part of this
project that is helping the
Midlands become part of
Britain’s engine for growth.
Our early involvement has
already allowed us, through
our partnership with Nedap,
to successfully prove the
Lift Destination Control
integration which had been
challenging on the Snowhill
One and Two schemes.”
GBE commenced works
on the major landmark
project October 2017 and
anticipate completion by
March 2019.
More information: GBE
0845 1220 884, gbe-uk.com
October 2017 | 13