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Composed of hardware components from hardware vendors and cloud providers; hardware operating systems; operating system updates from suppliers like Red Hat; secure communication; high-level C applications that can run on custom Linux OSes designed by Azure Sphere; the Azure Sphere Services (AS3) provides secure communication; this IoT Root of Trust ecosystem connects all IoT services such as Azure or other providers; furthermore Azure Sphere can integrate any IoT services such as Azure; this article will guide Azure development so you are prepared to build secure IoT apps using this Microsoft technology platform!
MCUs have become ubiquitous these days! Unfortunately, not all MCUs can be upgraded with secure updates, leaving IoT devices vulnerable to hacker attacks even when their manufacturer or owner remains unaware.
A secure IoT Platform such as AzureSphere facilitates more device development and solutions.
Describe Azure Sphere.
Azure Sphere's three main components combine to form a platform to help build more secure IoT solutions, with its vertical IoT stack being one of them.
It ensures that IoT devices and solutions built using it remain trustworthy during their lifecycle; creating IoT solutions with value delivered is one thing, while building them securely is equally essential.
Microsoft Azure Sphere IoT is made up of three main components:
- Azure Sphere crossover microcontroller unit (MCU) hardware
- Azure Sphere OS is a Linux-based custom operating system.
- Azure Sphere Security Service AS3: a cloud-based security service
Azure Sphere combines software, hardware and the cloud to provide an end-to-end solution that allows you to build more secure Internet of Things applications.
Security is a crucial feature of this platform.
Microcontroller Unit (MCU) for Azure Sphere Crossover
Azure Sphere's foundation lies within its custom silicon microcontroller units (MCUs).
Each MCU was explicitly created with security in mind from day one - offering you a secure computing platform to develop IoT products quickly while remaining focused on developing your solution like traditional SoC architectures but with extra safeguards against breaches in security.
Azure Sphere MCU Hardware Architecture
- Microsoft Pluton subsystem for security
- High-level application processor cores
- Real-time processor cores
- Integral RAM, Flash, and Connectivity
- Hardware Firewall for component isolation
MediaTek's MT3620 Azure Sphere microcontroller was the initial product released, used in several Azure Sphere Development Kits such as Seeed Studio's MT3620 Development Kit and custom dev board or devices if you choose.
Microsoft is working closely with various other companies on additional Azure Sphere microcontrollers, which should become available soon, including ones with Cellular Connectivity like Qualcomm does with Azure Sphere Microcontrollers.
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Azure Sphere OS
Azure Sphere is Microsoft's custom Linux-based OS that integrates its security components.
Azure Sphere is the only OS the Azure platform supports to build highly secure IoT applications with high assurance levels. This platform forms part of their security architecture to build highly secured IoT apps with the Azure platform.
Azure Sphere Operating system is built upon Linux, and some components are open-sourced - for instance, its kernel is released under a GPL license.
Microsoft has made available other parts that comply with the license agreements they used when creating it.
Azure Sphere OS (Operating System), developed in partnership between Microsoft Windows security innovations, a Linux custom kernel, and an advanced security monitor, offers an ideal computing platform for IoT application developers.
It was built upon defense-in-depth principles utilizing multiple layers of protection for maximum device protection.
Azure Sphere OS is composed of several layers, the main ones being:
- Hardware – Azure Sphere Microcontroller Units – This is the hardware of the MCU (microcontroller unit).
- OS layer 1 - security monitor - The low-level service running within the device to protect the integrity and access to critical resources.
- OS layer 2 - HLOS kernel - The High-Level Operating System Linux Kernel that runs on the Azure Sphere Device.
- OS layer 3 - on-chip cloud security services - The Azure Sphere OS provides this service and allows the device identity to connect with the Azure Sphere Security Service AS3, providing updates.
- OS layer 4 - app containers - Here, you can run your real-time and high-level apps on Azure Sphere devices.
Azure Sphere is Microsoft's custom Linux-based OS that integrates its security components.
Azure Sphere is the only OS the Azure platform supports to build highly secure IoT applications with high assurance levels. This trustworthy platform forms part of their security architecture to build highly secured IoT apps with the Azure platform.
Azure Sphere OS is built upon Linux, and some components are open-sourced - for instance, its kernel was released under a GPL license. Microsoft has made available other parts that comply with the license agreements they used when creating it.
Azure Sphere OS (Operating System), developed in partnership between Microsoft Windows security innovations, a Linux custom kernel, and an advanced security monitor, offers an ideal computing application platform for IoT application developers.
It is built upon defense-in-depth principles utilizing multiple layers of protection for maximum device protection.
Review of Microsoft Azure Sphere Security
Internet of Things technology is vital in our daily lives and enterprise businesses.
At its core, IoT is an emerging tech that transforms any device into one with greater intelligence; cloud computing makes this possible via sharing data for analysis. IoT developers and manufacturers can reap greater returns by adding computational ability directly within devices to produce desired outputs.
The Internet of Things, also known as IoT, encases everyday objects into an ecosystem to make our lives simpler and more pleasurable.
IoT's unique ability to integrate across industries - including healthcare, retail, home automation systems and transportation services - makes its implementation easy for any company. Businesses use IoT in various applications, including healthcare monitoring devices used for healthcare management or home security monitoring, as well as industrial machinery monitoring sensors in warehouses for productivity or performance tracking and gain invaluable insight from that data.
Still, its use poses potential threats as it puts critical equipment and products at risk from outside sources.
Security remains of primary importance with IoT solutions as all devices connected via the internet become vulnerable to multiple forms of threats and must remain connected securely in an ecosystem of devices.
We must make this solution capable of connecting and building an ecosystem safe enough to protect individuals and organizations. These risks include issues like lack of hardening on devices, software vulnerabilities, risks to data integrity and ransomware/malware attacks, and poor network visibility.
When developing IoT devices for business use, developers should consider these issues to safeguard IT operations and operations.
As an answer to consumer fears about cybersecurity threats, cybersecurity specialists and major corporations are working tirelessly to reassure their constituents. Microsoft will utilize its decades-long expertise across software, hardware and the cloud in creating Azure Sphere security solutions specifically for IoT applications.
IoT data should also be considered due to its management and integration across numerous devices.
IoT devices incorporate sensors, microcontrollers and communications modules, which interact constantly with servers, laptops and smartphones, allowing remote actors to shape physical and digital environments from remote locations.
Microsoft Azure Sphere: The IoT security solution
IoT plays an essential role in providing security features to future connected devices.
However, its industry has yet to mature, making organizations aware, but the situation is quickly becoming complex. Most connected devices used before IoT had microcontrollers, which don't meet modern-day security requirements for connected systems; microcontrollers used by most were already around before their existence, so they can't provide the sufficient level of protection required for connected systems.
Recently, Microsoft's Azure Sphere solution became generally available (GA), providing production scale deployment support with integrated communication and security capabilities: an integrated high-level platform explicitly designed to power future IoT applications across industries with integrated communication and security capabilities providing secure solutions across industries with integrated communication and security capabilities combined into an all-in-one IoT solution platform providing full production scale deployment capability across industries with communication features while being produced from Azure source code provided - providing maximum control with no complexity!
Azure Sphere is an end-to-end security solution designed to address IoT device security for organizations wishing to connect their Internet-connected devices to it.
Composed of three technical components - an Azure OS server, Azure Security Service, and a secured silicon chip; Azure Sphere is designed as an all-inclusive platform with these three elements working harmoniously for end-user organizations looking for IoT device protection solutions.
Microsoft's silicon partners manufacture certified Azure Sphere chips and feature hardware roots of trust that allow devices to trust them with security, connectivity, compute power and compute security features.
Azure Sphere is Microsoft's Linux-based custom microcontroller OS explicitly designed to run on certified chips connected by Azure Sphere Service (AS3), which works with OS and chip to secure devices throughout their lives - creating an ideal software development environment for IoT apps.
Microsoft has added another element to their hardware arsenal; not content with just three, it now also incorporates software and security experts who bring expertise from within Microsoft itself - this allows Microsoft to offer ongoing monitoring and upgrades of Azure Sphere as part of its ecosystem.
Azure Sphere's Guardian Module can protect older IoT gadgets with secure connectivity without exposing them directly to the internet, adding secure functionality without risk.
These devices comprise part of Azure Sphere chip family support AS3 connections, which offer automated patch software updates and security checks to safeguard these older gadgets further.
Sphere Security Service for Azure
Azure Sphere Security Service, or AS3, is part of the Microsoft Azure Sphere cloud component and secures IoT devices built using their MCU and OS components.
AS3 is the basis of trust for the interoperability of devices built using those components. It provides remote authentication of IoT devices and pushes firmware updates to devices using it - acting as the trusted authority over all Azure Sphere Devices.
Azure Sphere Devices you create are automatically registered within your Azure Sphere tenant with Azure Sphere Security Service at the point of manufacture or later when turning on.
When turned on, each device authenticates with AS3 before downloading an OS or custom app update through a secure download - once done, the Azure Sphere Security Service deploys this code to all your devices.
Microsoft's vision for creating a safer Internet of Things is ambitious; IoT companies and developers should pursue this goal to provide high levels of privacy, security and trust among their customers.
Watch their short video explaining Azure Sphere Leadership Vision!
Azure Sphere Boosts IoT Security, but Gaps Still Remain
Analysts agree that Microsoft's Azure Sphere technology for protecting connected devices using microcontrollers brings much-needed attention and simplifies the implementation of Internet of Things security measures.
Mike Demler is a senior analyst for The Linley Group. According to him, Azure Sphere-certified crossover microcontrollers - featuring real-time processors, application processors, network connectivity technologies from Microsoft, and power consumption for low-power applications - are no panacea in protecting billions of MCU-powered connected devices.
Furthermore, their energy use far outstrips low-cost IoT products like low-powered sensors. Once Linux is loaded onto it, a microcontroller becomes less like an object than more like an actual processor, according to Demler.
He said it won't replace every microcontroller industrial device; more IoT products won't be compatible with its architecture if Microsoft convinces other chip manufacturers to adopt it.
Microsoft debuted the Azure Sphere stack at the RSA Conference and includes IP/silicon security technology for security, an architecture of chip design, a Linux operating system and Azure Sphere Security Service - its cloud service, which offers certificate-based security authentication as well as detection of new threats within Azure Sphere via online reporting of failures while updating devices powered by MCUs "crossover." Microsoft's spokesperson emailed that the Azure Sphere MCUs feature an Application Processor, giving them unparalleled power and safety compared to legacy MCUs.
Internet of Things World is an annual security conference focused on IoT deployment across all verticals, drawing in senior security experts from some of the most prominent organizations.
Now is your opportunity to secure free tickets and expo passes! According to Lou Lutostanski, Avnet's Vice President of IoT, Microsoft has selected Avnet as its inaugural distributor for Azure Sphere. Microsoft will license their IP royalty-free to MediaTek's MediaTek MT3620 chip featuring ARM Cortex A7 application processors; according to an announcement blog, this chip should become widely available this year.
Microsoft declined an interview request seeking more details regarding which IoT device manufacturers Azure Sphere targets; however, their spokesperson believes its MCUs may appear everywhere, from toys, home appliances and agricultural machinery to industrial equipment.
According to Paul Miller of Forrester, Microsoft's Internet of Things technology provides many benefits. For starters, it helps protect hardware by connecting it directly with cloud services that guarantee regular updates, patching and certificate changes - crucial measures against hackers or any possible threats to hardware that has access to the cloud.
Miller stated that purchasers and end users can rest easy knowing they will always have access to the latest patches.
"They know what we need to do; for years, we've patched Xboxes; Windows updates have been provided throughout time; now, they are improving and adding global capabilities," they stated. Enterprise Management Associates' John Myers recommends end-to-end solutions as particularly advantageous to companies implementing industrial IoT or creating technologies in this space.
Such packages enable management and configuration more efficiently while saving them both time and resources.
Management of IoT device operations will present many IT companies with an immense challenge; Myers stated that managing these operations effectively involves handling overhead such as security, configuration and software/OS updates - while Microsoft provides an IoT cloud implementation environment that supports real-time streaming data streaming, enabling rapid deployment.
LNS Research's president and primary analyst is Matthew Littlefield. According to him, this technology will "benefit an ecosystem of smart assets," including automation systems, CNC machines, 3-D printing robots, robotics motors drives, valves pumps, instrumentation surfaces, mount technology, SMT machines, semiconductor equipment, rotating equipment as well as "many other assets, classes that just keep adding up," according to an email interview he conducted with him.
Lutostanski stated: Microsoft [is] providing an end-to-end solution that they can control from both hardware and software perspectives, one of many products Avnet offers in their security portfolio - this being by far their top solution." Miller from Forrester noted that choosing Linux-based virtual machines makes perfect sense, and one-third of Azure virtual machines run Linux-based operating systems.
Seven characteristics of highly secure gadgets
Microsoft developed "The Seven Properties of Highly Secured Devices" to establish fundamental design principles that would assist IoT devices and solutions that provide secure IoT solutions and devices.
Azure Sphere was created explicitly with these seven principles in mind and makes a key distinction from IoT platforms offering less protection.
Azure Sphere's primary objective is to offer an affordable security platform using low-cost MCUs found in toys, games and network-connected appliances.
Microsoft has years of experience dealing with Internet security. Through Azure Sphere, they have outlined seven characteristics associated with highly secure devices that have proven themselves secure.
- Root of Trust - A hardware-based trust ensures the intrinsic link between any device, its identity and that root. This prevents device spoofing or forging. Each Azure Sphere MCU crossover can be uniquely identified using an unforgeable key generated by Pluton hardware.
- Defense In Depth - Provide multiple layers of protection against attacks on these layers. Azure Sphere checks that any layer it is above has been secured by default.
- Small and trusted computing base - Most of the software on an Azure Sphere is outside the computing base. This limits the surface of the attack. In this example, the small, trusted computer base would consist of a security monitoring system, Pluton subsystem and runtime, all provided by Microsoft for the trusted computing platform.
- Azure Sphere Certified Silicon Chips - Dynamic Compartments all contain hardware firewalls that prevent security breaches from spreading between subsystems. A sandbox environment can control code corruption.
- No password authentication - A certificate-based authentication validated and verified with an unforgeable encryption key provides a more robust authentication method than passwords. Azure Sphere only accepts communications signed based on certificates from all software components and devices to the cloud or device-to-device.
- Error Reporting - Today's attack methods are very common. They use error reporting as a way to take advantage of devices. The cloud-based platform for error reporting allows devices to communicate continuously and consistently with each other. This provides an early warning system of potential issues. Developers will be able to identify and fix any issues sooner.
- Renewing Security - Azure Sphere allows the software of devices to be updated automatically, ensuring that any vulnerabilities are addressed. It is entirely automatic and seamless, as it does not require any input from the product manufacturer or user. Azure Sphere and Azure Sphere security service are responsible for this.
At first glance, these services seem separate; their purpose is to increase security on devices.
When combined, end-to-end hardware MCU-based device security can be ensured from Azure Cloud down to individual devices via Azure Sphere updates and Azure Sphere itself as security update mechanisms for each of your devices.
Clients who utilize Azure Sphere
Microsoft offers some inspiring use cases from global companies.
Starbucks uses Azure Sphere guardian devices to securely connect their coffee machines and provide them with real-time metrics.
To enable maintenance that is predictive. These machines can also be updated remotely.
Purell Smartlink/GOJO Industries have created securely connected sanitizer dispensing machines.
Azure Sphere's end-to-end encryption and integration with Azure IoT enabled GOJO to collect comprehensive data about hospital caregiver behavior.
With a secure Azure Sphere-connected water heater, OSO hot water has increased energy efficiency and decreased service interruptions.
Sysinfo monitors the air quality using Azure Sphere sensor devices.
Devices are used to monitor and securely connect large environments—Azure Sphere's renewable security and integration with Azure IoT hub help to reduce costs and improve performance.
How to get started with Azure Sphere
Microsoft makes exploring and creating devices and application development using Azure Sphere-enabled hardware simple and exciting.
cloud can be purchased to assist you in starting on your journey of learning about creating Azure Sphere application containers and prototyping them.
You will find everything necessary in these kits to create your first apps or prototypes quickly and efficiently. Once your developer kit arrives, you can begin developing applications by downloading Azure SDK.
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Conclusion:
Azure Sphere is an innovative IoT solutions platform combining cloud, hardware and software components to develop azure sphere IoT solutions by uniting all three aspects into an impressive whole that raises standards in IoT security.
Understanding seven characteristics that differentiate highly secure devices will allow us to fully appreciate why Microsoft took its approach toward IoT security so seriously.
