The Challenges of IoT Deployment
Enterprises deploying IoT face three recurring challenges:
- Integrating complex end-to-end solutions
- Making large-scale deployments simple and efficient
- Ensuring robust security as the number of connected devices grows
Of these, security is the most pressing barrier. Fraud and cyberattacks are increasing in frequency and sophistication, while regulations around the world impose stricter requirements for protecting consumer data and connected devices. Without a secure foundation, IoT deployments cannot scale or reach their full business potential.
SIM as a Root of Trust
Kilo addresses this with SIM as a Root of Trust — embedding security directly into the connectivity layer. By transforming the SIM card into a secure element, enterprises gain a reliable anchor of trust that protects devices, applications, and data across global deployments.
Why SIM Cards are the Ideal Root of Trust
SIM technology is already one of the most secure and widely deployed elements in telecom. It combines advanced cryptography, global standardization, and decades of proven use across billions of devices. This makes the SIM card the perfect candidate for IoT security.
Through the GSMA IoT SAFE (IoT SIM Applet for Secure End-to-End Communication) framework, the SIM becomes more than just a connectivity enabler. It serves as a mini “crypto-safe” inside every device, establishing secure TLS sessions with the cloud or application server.
Standardized APIs for Easy Integration
GSMA has also defined standardized APIs to make this practical:
- For device manufacturers: APIs that integrate SIM-based security into middleware with minimal effort
- For IoT security servers: APIs to manage SIM applets over the air and connect seamlessly with application and cloud platforms
The result: standardized mutual authentication, encrypted communication, and data integrity, all delivered through zero-touch provisioning — making secure, global deployments simple.
SIM Security in Action with Kilo
“Security must be designed into the very foundation of IoT systems,” says Ilya Semerhanov, PhD, CTO & System Architect at Kilo. “By using the SIM card as an anchor of trust, and combining it with zero-touch provisioning, enterprises can scale confidently while protecting their data and devices at every stage.”
In Practice
SIM-based IoT security ensures that:
- Device control software is protected from malicious alteration
- Data remains shielded from theft, tampering, or loss
- Unauthorized applications cannot be installed or transmitted to devices
For example, in industrial environments, connected machinery, sensors, and fleet trackers rely on secure and stable connectivity. With Kilo SIM Security, these devices can be provisioned, updated, and monitored over the air — without compromising integrity or exposing vulnerabilities.
Benefits of Kilo SIM Security
Enterprises adopting SIM-based security with Kilo gain clear, measurable advantages:
- Built-in trust – Leverages the ubiquity and inherent protection of SIM cards
- Standardized APIs – Simplifies development and integration for device and cloud providers
- Reduced fragmentation – Delivers a consistent security model across diverse hardware ecosystems
- Lower costs – Enables zero-touch provisioning to cut operational expenses
- Attack prevention – Reduces risk at the critical cloud access layer
- Lifecycle protection – Ensures secure device management from deployment to decommissioning
Kilo: Secure IoT Connectivity at Scale
Kilo’s SIM security offering is part of a larger portfolio that spans connectivity, device management, and IoT platforms. By integrating the GSMA IoT SAFE framework into our SIM solutions, we provide enterprises with a global, standardized, and future-proof approach to IoT security.
With Kilo, organizations can protect their assets, comply with evolving regulations, and scale connected services with confidence.
