Securing IoT using Blockchain and Zero Trust: Block Armour's Dilemma

Abstract

Block Armour is a Singapore headquartered technology start-up, focused on harnessing the potential of emerging technologies to build next-generation cybersecurity solutions. The company was co-founded by Narayan Neelakantan, Floyd DCosta, and Abhijit Dhongade. The case study describes IoT Armour which is Block Armour’s security solution for IoT implementation. IoT Armour has two components – one is a centralized enforcement engine to manage the policies and the second is a software agent in the end component that enforces the security. The policies define assets, access control, etc. The policy definition takes place centrally and its implementation takes place in the software agents in the blockchain nodes distributed across geographies. Neelakantan faces two related but distinct dilemmas in this case study. He wants to decide whether or not to invest in the fascinating and innovative new feature that Dhongade has proposed. He also wonders about the appropriateness of using blockchain in the implementation of the zero trust architecture. What should Neelakantan do to handle these dilemmas?