Wireless Used in Ozuno RAPIX Products
Sensitive Sites
A significant problem has arisen in recent years, with unwanted connectivity of products – for instance: refridgerators, dishwashers, cars and of course lighting control and power management products.
These products promise convenience, as well as possible easy update by a manufacturer. Such products can also be a vector for unwanted interference with the product, such as (but by no means limited to):
- Control when not desired;
- Open to hacking or other attackers;
- Compromise by malware;
- Turned into botnet farms that can launch electronic attack on others; or
- Making the low power devices consume additional power for bitcoin or other crypto-currency mining.
Some buildings have special requirements for unwanted communication devices: typically, the requirement is that this additional connectivity is not permitted.
Sensitive sites include many government agencies, hospitals, schools, sports stadiums, critical infrastructure (electricity generation, sewage, etc) and others.
Types of Unwanted Connectivity
Unwanted connectivity typically comes in the form of an Ethernet connection, or some form of wireless connectivity.
Unwanted Ethernet connections are easily managed: don’t connect anything. In extreme cases, glue a rubber bung into the Ethernet jack.
Unwanted wireless communication connections are more difficult to manage.
Some possible wireless types are: (this is not a complete or exhaustive list):
- WiFi (includes WiFi Direct and other variations);
- Bluetooth (many generations and families);
- Zigbee;
- Various IEEE 802.15.4 protocols, including Thread, Matter, proprietary protocols and many others;
- Z-Wave;
- 6LoWPAN including Thread; and
- Near Field Communications (NFC).
These protocols may be used for:
- Device configuration (eg many LED drivers);
- Connectivity to smart phones;
- Connections to energy management systems;
- Convenience “be anywhere” control functions;
- System flexibility and extension;
- Energy monitoring or management; and
- Many other features or functions.
Whilst those functions may be useful, they can all represent a vulnerable entry point for unwanted interference; or a possible means for delicate information to be exfiltrated.
Simple examples in a load management or lighting control system include:
- Use of NFC for LED driver configuration (even if only a one-time operation);
- System flexibility / extension, such as including wireless segments to remove the need to run cables to difficult parts of a building.
When a wireless capability is present, a software disable of that capability is frequently not sufficient to be assured that the wireless vulnerability point is closed.
Statement by Ozuno regarding unwanted connectivity
Ozuno products do not include wireless functions.
This includes WiFi, bluetooth, NFC, etc.
Ozuno products are suitable for use in sensitive buildings.