New CENSIS-led initiative to accelerate Scotland’s IoT capabilities
A new programme of activity is set to boost Scotland’s adoption of IoT technologies and support the country’s burgeoning tech sector, through the development of innovative new cyber security products and services.
The initiative was announced today (7 November 2019) by Kate Forbes MSP, Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy, at CENSIS’s sixth annual Technology Summit in Glasgow.
Led by CENSIS in partnership with the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, the IoT Cyber Accelerator programme will help businesses and developers enhance the resilience of IoT networks and devices, through new products and approaches to cyber security. Up to five companies will be selected following a competitive process for the six-month programme, which will include tailored support from CENSIS and Scottish Enterprise to turn ideas into fully realised products or services.
A series of workshops will be held for businesses from a range of sectors to find out more and begin to address challenges or identify opportunities within IoT. As part of the programme, CENSIS has also partnered with Abertay University to deliver an IoT vulnerability study that will expose risks or flaws in the design of IoT devices – the outcomes will be used to develop or refine best-practice guidelines.
Kate Forbes MSP said: “
“The challenge of building security and resilience into digital products and services is something that is being wrestled with on a global stage. I’m delighted that the Scottish Government is supporting CENSIS and Scottish Enterprise to deliver this programme of activity which will see Scotland at the forefront of these developments.
“We have an ambitious cyber resilience strategy, which at its core is about making Scotland a safe place to live, learn and do business. Developing robust technology, in Scotland, rooted in principles of quality and trust, goes hand in hand with that.”
“The challenge of building security and resilience into digital products and services is something that is being wrestled with on a global stage. I’m delighted that the Scottish Government is supporting CENSIS and Scottish Enterprise to deliver this programme of activity which will see Scotland at the forefront of these developments.
“We have an ambitious cyber resilience strategy, which at its core is about making Scotland a safe place to live, learn and do business. Developing robust technology, in Scotland, rooted in principles of quality and trust, goes hand in hand with that.”
CENSIS already has a number of IoT projects underway across Scotland, such as working with NHS Highland to developing a testbed to trial non-clinical IoT applications within the health board’s estate, including building maintenance and asset tracking.
CENSIS is also partnering with the Scottish Local Government Digital Office to help increase understanding and uptake of IoT technologies across local government.
Paul Winstanley, Chief Executive of CENSIS, said: “IoT technologies are quickly becoming ubiquitous – if they don’t already affect your business, they soon will. It’s highly encouraging to see so many projects and initiatives underway which involve helping companies to adopt IoT and realise the benefits it can offer – Scotland is very much leading the way and the IoT Cyber Accelerator can underpin its growth across the country.