Earlier this month saw the GSMA’s first Mobile 360 – Privacy & Security event take place in The Hague, Netherlands, highlighting some of the issues affecting businesses as they become more digitised. The Hague has been developing a strong ecosystem in digital security from academic, government and business perspectives, making it the ideal place to hold this event.
With a combination of keynote speakers, panel discussions, technology demonstrations and in-depth case studies, Mobile 360 – Privacy & Security addressed the growing importance of privacy and security across the globe. The programme featured a diverse range of speakers from across the digital security and mobile industries, as well as from adjacent sectors including financial, legal, healthcare and automotive industries, and also offered perspectives from government figures, former military commanders and more, making for a really stimulating couple of days.
With all this discussion about privacy and security it was only right that the theories be put to the test, and the GSMA, in partnership with Onegini, organised a Hackathon at the event. With app specifications and requirements submitted by the attendees, developers were tasked with building a secure app within 24 hours. Following best practice of considering security parameters from the outset, there was a team from KPMG testing the app alongside the build. At the end of the 24 hours, the developers built a banking and payment app with a secure login, fingerprint recognition for transactions and more, ready for everyone to test on the second day of the event. The hackathon was evidence that building an app with enterprise-grade security does not have to be a painful exercise or an obstacle to creativity.
The event also saw startups and partners showcasing their latest mobile technology innovations including virtual reality (VR), smartwatches and other connected devices. The startup showcase featured a variety of local companies fostered by the Hague Security Delta, such as: Weaware+, a location-based social network to provide reassurance and support where people are (or should be) cautious and VR-based training on how to reduce personal risks; Red Tulip Systems, which offers cloud-based virtual phones to solve BYOD data leak headaches; and X-Systems, which has built an encrypted enterprise smartphone.
The work of the GSMA was obviously a big feature at the event. Attendees were able to get the latest on the IoT Security Guidelines and their implementation from the Connected Living team. The guidelines are designed to help all players in the industry establish a common understanding of security and privacy issues, establish best practice and provide recommendations on how to mitigate common security threats and weaknesses. Additionally, Mobile Connect was demonstrated by the Personal Data team. It is the new standard in digital authentication and works by combining people’s unique mobile number and PIN to verify and identify themselves online, enhancing their experience and handing back control of their personal data. Mobile Connect offers greater protection when transacting online by utilising the inherent security of the mobile phone, resulting in streamlined access to online services, reducing abandoned transactions and driving more repeat businesses.
Next on the Mobile 360 Series calendar is the Mobile 360 Europe conference, taking place in Brussels on June 14th. The event will bring together key mobile industry and European policy leaders to focus on how the ecosystem can work together in partnership in order to maximise mobile’s contribution and help Europe realise its potential to drive growth, competitiveness and job creation across all sectors of its single market. Registrations for Mobile 360 Europe are now open so save the date and confirm your registration here.
Lastly, follow our dedicated Mobile 360 LinkedIn Showcase page for the latest news and developments from our Mobile 360 Series.