The SGP.32 IoT specification is set-up to simplify remote connectivity activation and was issued to Thales as part of the GSMA’s eSIM Security Assurance (eSA) programme.

Thales hailed its certification as a “milestone” for secure IoT deployments across smart metering, healthcare and automotive sectors, among others.

It explained the GSMA certification means Thales is a “trusted partner”, with the ability to provide full protection against advanced cyber threats, along with “ensuring compliance with emerging security standards”.

Thales pointed to the European Union Cyber Resilience Act as an example.

It quoted a GSMA Intelligence forecast on the number of cellular IoT connections exceeding 5.8 billion by 2030 to show expected soaring demand for easy-to-deploy devices.

Thales stated the eSA certification offers “IoT service providers, device makers and car manufacturers” assurances around the security and future readiness of its products.

It will be able to conduct mass activations of eSIM IoT devices remotely, protect credentials and connectivity data across the lifetime of those products, and provide better security for device identity and communication.

Eva Rudin, VP of mobile connectivity solutions, said Thales is confident the eSA certification would “further accelerate the adoption of eSIM technology among more than 100 of our customers, including mobile network operators, IoT service providers, automotive companies and device manufacturers”.