Untethered Power Sourcing Could Hitch Devices to Additional Security

Spinning the cybersecurity story for device owners with a wireless spool.

By Anamika Kumari, Content Writer, Allied Analytics LLP

The invention of USB connect was revolutionary in its own. Ajay V. Bhatt changed the way in which data was being shared among resources and in the manner electronic devices were being sourced with power. For a long while during the last decade, users were dazed at the flexibility of data transfer and device charging which the standardized utility tool offered. As it turns out, the same interfacing mechanism became the perfect medium for virus intrusion and corruption of stored data. Considering the kind of sensitive data that the modern mobile devices have access to, and is stored over a longer period, the idea of USB charging could turn out to be a complete horror story.

Wireless charging for better security
Tethering for shared internet access was a trend that dwelled over a short duration. Device manufacturers leveraged wireless fidelity to empower their devices with modular independence. Change in times, consequential change in technology, and there we land up with the concept of wireless charging. It was ideated to solve the issues faced by wires and cables so deeply entangled with human lives. It gained additional wind in its sail from the rise in global ownership of the electric vehicles and smartphones. The technique for structured communication of pure energy could not conceivably go wrong at the security front.

The fascination for wireless charging technology in context to cybersecurity should not come as unprecedented. The larger picture holds distributed goodness for each possible industry verticals that look forward to its ground implementation. This includes high-end corporate organizations that have made allowance for the bring-your-own-device facility, federal security agencies that need the secure transmission of data over walky-talkies, as well as the logistics solution provider with a fleet of electric vehicles transporting something of great public or private value.

The risks versus possible mitigation
In most cases, there is never enough time or source to power up these devices through traditional socket connect. Communication of location-based data and authorization keys to the main database of these organizations lay bare naked when these systems are connected to unauthorized devices across remote locations. As evident, the internet-of-things biome has brought its own hazards down the line. Risks to cybersecurity occupy the foremost front in those regards. Wireless charging comes forward with a solution hidden underneath its cloak.

For the sake of clarity, wireless web connectivity is the exact anti to the concept being discussed here. There is data communication that leaves enough room for third-party breach. Since its usage is undeniable, device security and management providers take up the responsibility to reduce the chances as close to zero as possible. However, it did generate the importance of leaving back the wires at home. Innovative designs rendered the vehicles and devices to be powered in the wireless fashion compact in design and efficient in power consumption. This cleared some additional space for alternative essentials to be carried out on the field.

Many runners, few scores
Towards the end of 2015, fresh rumors of wireless charging-enabled iPhone from Apple floated across the market. The news roots down to a patent by the international favorite brand of smartphones in 2010 that tested capabilities and models of a local computing network powered on-the-air. They intended the use of near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power supply to power configured devices in that environment. On comparison with close competitors in the arena, Apple was trying to build a trend, none of the providers have narrowed down to any wire-free charging platform with commercial substance.

Semiconductor manufacturers, such as Broadcom Corp. and Qualcomm Inc., have registered successful progress on the technical grounds. Their recent research advents target the construction of standards for wireless charging technology as well as the electronic chips that support the same. That is a well-played game in a market with an estimated potential of $37.2 billion by 2022. As per the findings of a report the wireless charging market by technology exhibits a tentative CAGR of 44.7% during 2016–2022. Thus, the users of electric vehicles and smart devices synchronized to a network over the web could build expectations to connect with non-interrupted access to the internet, the convenience of seamless commute, and of course, a more secure functional environment.

About the Author
Anamika Kumari is a Level II Content Writer at the Allied Analytics LLP.
Anamika Kumari has pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and is certified in industrial automation. She is deeply fascinated by the impact of modern technology on human life and the earth at large. Being a voracious reader, passionate writer, and a critical observer of market dynamics, she has a strong taste for the hidden science behind all arts.
Anamika can be reached online at anamika.kumari@alliedanalytics.com and at our company website http://www.alliedmarketresearch.com