Taiwanese firm Delta says its PA1 Bluetooth panel light has become the first smart lighting product globally to achieve a UL IoT security rating.

In the era of rapidly developing IoT applications, Delta says this demonstrates its active emphasis on and dedication to cyber security and international certification.

The Bluetooth panel light can be controlled via mobile phones, which can save wiring costs while increasing flexibility, as well as provide an information backbone for smart buildings. Delta hopes the UL international security certification will help it expand its global market.

“Delta strives to develop IoT-based building automation to promote the development of smart buildings,” said Calvin Wang, head of Delta’s IoT lighting business. “Lighting fixtures are one of the most common and evenly distributed infrastructures in buildings. The DeltaZhi lighting system not only provides lighting but also serves as a node for information acquisition and transmission as the backbone of smart buildings, supporting extensive value-added applications and services.”

He said the emphasis on cyber security had long been the principle for Delta’s development team.

“It is an honour for Delta’s Bluetooth panel light PA1 to be the first smart lighting product globally to achieve a UL IoT security rating,” he said. “In the future, Delta will continue to strengthen the cyber-security design of its IoT products to provide clients with more reliable products and services.”

Jonathan (TsungHung) Chen, vice president and managing director of UL in Taiwan, added: “Cyber security is a key link in the current development of IoT technology, and UL’s IoT security rating is an important indicator for evaluating the security performance of IoT products. The verification is based on the consensus standards of the global industry. Through rigorous multi-faceted assessments, UL actively detects potential deficiencies in the cyber security of products so as to introduce more effective security protection mechanisms.”

He said Delta attached “great importance” to and responded to IoT product security certification quickly, demonstrating its determination and commitment to improving the security of IoT products while increasing the market’s attention to IoT cyber-security issues.

The software uses security keys, thus passing the silver level of the UL IoT security rating. The Bluetooth panel light products comply with the Bluetooth SIG mesh profile.

The DeltaZhi light control system, with built-in Bluetooth intelligent control (BIC) technology that enables decentralised autonomous control technology, allows users to adjust colour temperature and brightness, and set the scene and grouping through mobile phones, Bluetooth wall switches or sensors.

This system is not limited by the loop nor requires complex settings, and can be controlled in a group or individually. With Bluetooth, lighting fixtures can form a dense IoT network between themselves as the core backbone of relevant value-added services, such as data collection, indoor positioning and asset management in smart buildings.

In recent years, IoT applications have increased rapidly, and are expected to change the appearance of future cities, buildings and factories alongside the development of 5G. However, many experts warn that as long as all devices are connected to the internet, a cyber-security loophole may occur.

For this certification, around 20 tests were conducted in seven categories, including software updates, data and cryptography, protocol security, and system management, which enables Delta to provide more secure and reliable IoT devices.

Founded in 1971, Delta serves users through its sales offices, R&D centres and manufacturing facilities spread over close to 200 locations across five continents.