On the 19th June, KT officially announced its blockchain service to secure Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices via satellite. KT (formerly Korea Telecom) is the countries largest telecoms company. This initiative, using KT’s GiGA Stealth technology, was demonstrated at last week’s ConnecTechAsia 2019 trade show amongst various other projects.
Other announcements included proposals such as quantum communication for the military and unmanned 5G connected search and rescue drones.
Developed by KT SAT, the firm’s satellite arm, the service utilizes GiGA Stealth to secure the CCTV on ships which use IoT terminals. To prevent hackers from accessing or controlling the cameras, IP addresses of the terminals will only be shown to permitted users. These users are verified by a smart contract on the GiGA Stealth blockchain.
KT has addressed a pressing issue in the world of the IoT. Hacking is no longer just about stealing personal details; objects such as self-driving cars or even smart homes could be taken over.
Using blockchain as a solution has been discussed in academic circles, with Hyundai taking an interest. However, KT’s solution demonstrated last week appears to be one of the first to take advantage of existing satellites and 5G connectivity.
GiGa Stealth was revealed in April, initially aimed at smart cars and factories. Last week’s announcement shows that KT is focusing more on intelligence and military applications, with the example of a shipowner monitoring the CCTV remotely and securely. The company is also participating in the blockchain consortia Carrier Blockchain Study Group targeting inter carrier solutions for roaming.
