GlobalPlatform simplifies and secures IoT device network management with free MUD File Service

September 29, 2021 – Technical standards organization, GlobalPlatform has launched its free beta manufacturer usage description (MUD) File Service to simplify and secure IoT device network onboarding and management. The service helps manufacturers to easily share the intent, capabilities, and requirements of their devices. With simple access to this information, network managers can automatically accept or reject access, to ensure devices can function effectively and securely. This will solve scalability issues in IoT, helping network managers to manage the rapidly growing number, and types, of IoT devices in their environments safely and efficiently.

“The deployment of IoT devices is increasing rapidly, along with the number of different device types, each of which has unique network access requirements,” said Tim Polk, Senior Computer Scientist, NIST. “To maintain security, it is vital that networks are able to distinguish device requirements to ensure the correct levels of access are given. We are excited to see industry-driven solutions like GlobalPlatform’s MUD File Service establish options for device makers and network managers looking to streamline connectivity while improving security.”

MUD files enable a network to automatically identify the requirements and allowed behaviors for specific devices. These can then be communicated to services like firewalls and network management systems. This enables the network to protect the connected devices, and be protected against devices that are not behaving as they should during provisioning and throughout their lifecycle.

“By offering a simple platform for device makers to create and publish MUD files, and generate URLs to enable access to them, GlobalPlatform is simplifying secure device connectivity,” commented Gil Bernabeu, Technical Director, GlobalPlatform. “MUD files have an important role to play in the future of IoT, to automate connectivity and support network managers in dealing with an increasingly diversified device ecosystem. This is the simplest, cheapest, and least impactful way to enhance IoT trust.”

MUD is a recognized international standard published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The MUD specification can be found at https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc8520.

GlobalPlatform is currently offering a free Beta version of its MUD File Service under its broader IoTopia initiative, practical implementation strategy to support the deployment and management of secure IoT devices. More capabilities will be added to the service as it expands and evolves to serve the changing needs of manufacturers and network managers.