Product: u.warn Cell Broadcast Center
Company: Utimaco
Utimaco, a global IT security solutions provider, created u.warn Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) to provide a fast, cost-efficient way to deliver mass messaging to mobile phone users. The company disclosed that the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency certified its Commercial Mobile Service Provider (CMSP) Gateway, which connects u.warn to the U.S. federal alert system. The solution is used by more than 1 billion people and over 20 countries, according to Stefan Auerbach, CEO at Utimaco.
Auerbach noted that Utimaco specializes in on-premises and cloud-based hardware security modules (HSMs), which comprise the backbone for enterprise-scale cybersecurity.
"These HSMs enable the key generation, data protection and identity management that secure our digital lives," he said. "Another key element of Utimaco's solution portfolio is telecommunication compliance solutions used by governments and companies around the world."
Auerbach also mentioned that Utimaco has made strategic acquisitions as it has grown, which have enabled it to expand into telecommunication compliance solutions, key management, Public Key Infrastructure, Public Warning Systems. In fact, he added, the company recently deployed a warning system to Ukraine, pro bono, at the start of the current conflict there.
Describing u.warn as a public warning suite of products that caters to governments, enterprises and other organizations in need of emergency mass communication systems, Auerbach said the solution is highly adaptable and functions in numerous delivery channels, including cell broadcast, location-based SMS, customized apps, desktop alerts, email and more.
"u.warn CBC was developed according to 3GPP/ATIS standards," Auerbach said, noting that the system has been used successfully for two decades and deployed in four continents. The ability to support simultaneous delivery of text messages in real time to millions of mobile users within a specified geographical area enables u.warn CBC to deliver mass messaging at scale without requiring extra network bandwidth, he added.
Pointing out that u.warn CBC supports the Commercial Mobile Alert System (C-interface) to communicate with FEMA's Federal Alert Gateway, Auerbach explained that the FEMA certification means any authority or mobile network operator can choose Utimaco as a supplier for a Commercial Mobile Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts and Public Warning Systems, especially but not limited to 5G networks. In addition, he stated, participating users and mobile networks will find the solution easy to activate and deploy. Utimaco noted that u.warn CBC uses "write once, publish to all" technology, for example, to broadcast and deliver real-time location-based alerts within seconds, while providing high-caliber cell site resolution.
In addition, the company stated, u.warn CBC connects to all RAN (Radio Access Networks) vendors including Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, ZTE, Siemens, Motorola, and other established vendors. Utimaco also affirmed its obligation to keep up with changes in the protocols made by the RAN vendors, assuring continuous operation of the system and verifying every message reaches its destination.
An ABI Research study, published in March 2022, named Utimaco a top HSM implementer globally, attributing its success to the company's diverse range of HSM solutions that, researchers pointed out, are widely available for general purpose and payments applications.
"In terms of available security algorithms, Utimaco offers the whole gamut of cryptographic capabilities in encryption, key authentication, hashes, named curves, and RNG. Importantly, within its crypto API offering is the possibility for clients to load their own proprietary algorithms,"Â researchers wrote, noting that the HSMs are easy to configure and that clients can change applications throughout the HSM's lifetime of use. This flexibility allows for a natural extension into cloud deployments, Utimaco is based in Aachen, Germany and Campbell, Calif., and employs more than 550 employees. The company continues to focus on innovation, adding new use cases to its product suite, including Internet of Things and crypto-agility capabilities for post-quantum computing. 
Website: https://utimaco.com Contact: hsm@utimaco.com
The Green Sheet Inc. is now a proud affiliate of Bankcard Life, a premier community that provides industry-leading training and resources for payment professionals. Click here for more information.
Notice to readers: These are archived articles. Contact names or information may be out of date. We regret any inconvenience.
Prev Next
