eSIM for industrial IoT applications
Streamlined, secure provisioning
of IoT devices anywhere
White Paper
Learn why IoT device Benefits of remote SIM provisioning
makers are adopting eSIM:
Adopting remotely provisioned eSIM technology brings more flexibility to
Benefits of remote SIM managing the cellular connectivity of IoT devices. This, in turn, improves the
provisioning reach and scalability of IoT applications.
Innovating around industrial use
cases for eSIM Traditional plastic SIM cards can be a limitation when designing,
Adding end-to-end industrial manufacturing and deploying cellular IoT devices for certain use cases:
strength security
They typically offer a single static SIM profile that affords connectivity
Deploying applications faster
to one mobile network operator, fixed for the life of the card. This creates
and at scale
significant bottlenecks in the deployment of devices globally across multiple
networks, as physical SIMs for the local networks must be sourced and
distributed.
They require an operative to insert the SIM into the device during initial
commissioning and in the event the SIM needs replacing. This increases
logistical complexities and makes the management of IoT deployments more
costly, especially if devices are located remotely.
They use precious space in the device, and the need to insert and remove
the traditional plastic SIM card means that the device can’t be sealed against
dirt ingress. Furthermore, their removable nature presents unattended
devices as prime targets for physical denial of service attacks and service theft.
The GSMA specifications for eSIM are ideal for globally connected cellular IoT devices:
eSIM replaces the plastic SIM card with a soldered-down chip in the
device. It enables remote SIM provisioning (RSP) of a device wherever cellular
coverage exists. SIM profiles are downloaded over-the-air from the mobile
network operator’s (MNO’s) eSIM profile management service.
Device owners can rapidly change the cellular service provider for their
devices at any time by using RSP to switch or deploy new SIM profiles
remotely. This removes the need to physically swap SIMs to change network
operator, enabling seamless and scalable global device connectivity.
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Innovating around industrial use cases
for eSIM
As industrial IoT applications grow, eSIM technology is well placed to enable
scalable, secure global connectivity. Here are just some innovations underway
that are enabled by eSIM. All these applications will benefit from extended
device battery life, enhanced signal coverage and support for low-cost devices.
Smart manufacturing
eSIM technology can play an important role in the optimization of multiple
global manufacturing processes. Placing remotely manageable eSIMs at
the heart of manufacturing plants enables cellularly connected operations
regardless of location. This in turn will support improved performance, quality,
cost and resource management.
The manufactured product itself can incorporate eSIM technology that
may feed quality and other information to manufacturers post-issuance,
across different locations.
A smart operation utilizing eSIM technology benefits from flexible and
updatable network access, as well as network redundancy, allowing a constant
feed of valuable insights back from the factory floors to the operations hub.
Without ubiquitous connectivity, manufacturers cannot gain quick
learnings and react to make dynamic improvements to both process
and product quality.
Reduce waste and Improve yield and the Achieve better customer
speed up production quality of goods produced satisfaction and brand loyalty
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Shipping and logistics
Knowing the exact location and condition of supply and inventory goods
in real-time during shipment is essential. Cellular M2M modules with eSIM
technology are very attractive in logistics, especially for use on high-value,
condition sensitive and highly mobile assets.
Ship connected Connect as a local Reduce Avoid physical Change profiles
assets anywhere subscriber on any tracking costs SIM swapping immediately
cellular network with RSP
Item tracking and site monitoring
Within a large and distributed commercial facility, electronic monitoring of
facilities and equipment is a necessary and valuable efficiency capability.
eSIM enables use of cellular networks to provide a flexible and remotely
manageable connectivity option – especially where operators have multiple
facilities in different regions.
Reach across Protect sealed Manage all assets Change profiles Reduce potential
geographies devices against using the same with RSP as for tampering
harsh environments technology items move
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Smart energy
By using established ubiquitous cellular networks, utilities benefit from the
vast countrywide deployments they own. More available off-the-shelf smart
energy devices with cellular connectivity and eSIM technology broaden supply
chain choices and reduce lifecycle costs. eSIM technology also provides an
insurance policy for utility providers against being locked in with one network
operator for the entire lifetime of devices (which is long in the energy sector),
as well as against the potential cost and hassle of physical SIM swaps.
Deploy anywhere Avoid utility- Register Minimize Manage Scale service
within cellular specific dedicated devices securely device costs customer service across regions
coverage infrastructure precisely quickly
Agriculture
The sheer geographic scale of modern farming operations limits deployment
of many wireless connectivity options. As cellular networks provide excellent
coverage even across rural areas, producers can get the reliable connectivity
required for smart agriculture applications. eSIM technology offers a cost-
effective and flexible option for tracking and monitoring equipment, livestock,
and people with many sensor devices across broad geographical areas.
Ensure reliable Cover indoors, Aggregate all Manage profiles Reduce Minimize
and secure outdoors, flat or cellular coverage across networks tampering and machine
connectivity rugged terrain easily battery changes maintenance
service calls
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Industrial wearables
In industrial settings, workers need information quickly without leaving their
post for access. Workers with wrist-worn computers, augmented reality (AR)
glasses and ear-worn hearables all benefit from eSIM enabled connectivity
as they move locations.
Register devices Deploy anywhere Decrease power Reduce Minimize
and applications for within cellular consumption, potential for downtime
each worker coverage improve battery life tampering
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Adding end-to-end
industrial- strength security
The IoT sector is grappling with the increasing number of security questions.
These range from avoiding theft of service and preventing disruption of
operations to ensuring secure communication links and securing the data
from end to end.
Industrial device makers should consider four security aspects: physical device
security, virtual device security, device certification and application security.
Physical device security
eSIM technology greatly reduces the physical attack profile compared with
plastic SIM cards. Simple attacks based on removing or replacing the SIM card
are prevented. Moving the SIM to a soldered-down chip on the printed circuit
board inside the device, makes it harder to identify and less accessible for
physical inspection-based attacks.
Virtual device security
eSIMs run a similar eUICC software stack to traditional SIMs, offering at least
an equivalent level of security.
Device certification
GSMA specification compliance for eSIM technology ensures that subscriber
and network security always remain upheld. Without certification, eSIM enabled
devices cannot obtain required digital certificates, which prevents them from
operating effectively within the GSMA remote provisioning ecosystem.
Application security
eSIMs allow for the secure management of multiple network operator profiles.
Additionally, they can be used as a secure repository, that can be managed
independently of network operators, for the storage of other sensitive
authentication credentials, such as pre-shared keys or certificates. Instead of using
weaker methods- such as user name and password or two-factor authentication-
the device or application can seamlessly authenticate using the credentials
securely stored in the eSIM.
This allows eSIMs to act as a root of trust for devices and applications whilst
offering trusted, industry recognized secure remote access to manage credentials
through the device lifecycle. IoT device manufacturers, application developers and
enterprises can leverage this dedicated capability to bring a new generation of
trustworthy IoT devices to market.
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Deploying applications faster and at scale
Devices with eSIM technology allow MNOs and IoT application managers to quickly
onboard significant numbers of cellular connected devices onto their networks.
Deployment and ongoing cellular connectivity costs reduce due to simplified,
consistent RSP methods.
Deploying applications at scale means more than streamlining IoT device
provisioning. Secure interoperability is critical for faster, broader device
deployments within an end-to-end IoT application.
Kigen helps manage device identities with a provisioning server solution
compliant with GSMA eUICC specifications. These server solutions implement
RSP and over-theair profile programming functionality with APIs for easy
integration into management platforms. Kigen OS provides a low-footprint
software stack enabling full eSIM functionality. Kigen’s solutions supports
the principles set out in Arm’s Platform Security Architecture (PSA). This
allows partners to reach market sooner and with greater confidence in their
deployed devices’ security.
eSIM technology reduces complexity, increases flexibility and builds in security
for accelerating time-to-value in IoT deployments. Industrial IoT device makers
adopting eSIM technology can concentrate on innovation for more use cases
and growth of market share.
Cellular devices drive scale into massive IoT
The future for eSIM technology in industrial IoT applications is bright. Innovation
with eSIM technology from device makers, MNOs, and application providers should
lead to more secure, interoperable IoT applications.
Find out more about Kigen SIM solutions at:
www.kigen.com
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