Policy Enforcement EngineTelefonica and Rivetz will collaborate on the development of advanced mobile security protocols for blockchain transactions and messaging. The solution is to leverage dual encryption, supporting both the Trusted Execution Environment (as embedded by multiple device manufacturers) and the advanced encryption on SIMs deployed by Telefónica.

Trusted computing technologies are not an end by themselves, but are an opportunity to improve mobile users’ security, providing a research and innovation framework in the context of cybersecurity,” said Sergio de los Santos, head of the Discovery and Innovation Lab at Telefónica – ElevenPaths.

The Telefonica and Rivetz collaboration

Sergio de los Santos
Sergio de los Santos

The collaboration will explore how to deliver a new, decentralized model for enhanced security and data controls. The idea is to improve consumer applications such as secure messaging and cryptocurrency wallets.

Rivetz and Telefonica will also explore new business models to simplify and automate backup and recovery and existing user identity information. This would, if delivered, enable millions of endpoints to tap into already existing – but unused – mobile hardware security.

The Rivetz technology has been in an active beta test since January 2018. It provides a foundation for the enhancement of security achieved by the integration of SIM-protected key management. It will leverage the RvT token to enable provable controls on the blockchain for next-generation data compliance.

The enhanced solution will be integrated into Rivetz’s existing application developer solution. In turn this will become available to select partners later this quarter and application providers will be able to integrate this into their solutions. The intention is to increase data security, transactional quality and the value of services delivered to users through their devices.

The SIM connection

The two partners will seek to leverage isolated roots of trust in the hardware and in the SIM to:

  • enable split-key encryption
  • offer state-of-the-art protection of consumer assets and data.

Rivetz and Telefonica aim to accelerate existing efforts in privacy, data compliance and security, facilitating the revolution in information integrity and assurance driven by enhancing the quality of transactions. For example, one anticipated solution will use both blockchain and trusted computing technology to provide cybersecurity controls and protection. With these it will become ‘possible’ to hold multiple cryptocurrencies, with assurance that both digital assets and processes are protected within a device’s hardware.

Steven Sprague
Steven Sprague

According to Steven Sprague, CEO of Rivetz: “Blockchain access and secure messaging are core building blocks to automating the user experience when it comes to digital services.

We’re honored to partner with Telefónica to explore how to fully leverage the embedded cybersecurity technologies of mobile to deliver next-generation data services and business models to enhance the quality of subscriber relationships.

Enterprise Times: what does this mean

Telefonica and Rivetz argue that the global rise of blockchain projects and IoT requires a decentralized cybersecurity model. This explains their collaboration which will combine:

  • Telefonica’s advanced network security services through its cybersecurity unit, ElevenPaths
  • Rivetz’s trusted computing and blockchain-based solutions.

The pair face two obvious challenges. The first involves all the problems with communications and cybersecurity, in all its dimensions. The second involves all the issues surrounding devices which are mobile and/or low cost, as in IoT, and present in many places. To address both is brave. Yet the need is there and possibly, in addressing both, one answer might emerge. It is a lot to hope.

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Charles Brett is a business/technology analyst consultant. His specialist areas include enterprise software, blockchain and enterprise mobility tech (including metering). Specific industry sectors of interest and experience include finance (especially systems supporting wholesale finance), telecommunications and energy. Charles has spoken at multiple industry conferences, has written for numerous publications (including the London Times and the Financial Times). He was the General Chair of the bi-annual High Performance Systems Workshop, 2005. In addition he is an author and novelist. His Technology books include: Making the Most of Mobility Vol I (eBook, 2012); Explaining iTunes, iPhones and iPads for Windows Users (eBook, 2011); 5 Axes of Business Application Integration (2004). His published novels, in the Corruption Series, include: The HolyPhone Confessional Crisis, Corruption’s Price: A Spanish Deceit and Virginity Despoiled. The fourth in The Corruption Series - Resurrection - has is now available. Charles has a B.A. and M.A in Modern History from the University of Oxford. He has lived or worked in Italy, Abu Dhabi, South Africa, California and New York, Spain, Israel, Estonia and Cyprus.

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