November 2018 Summaries

Virgil Security has developed a method to enhance the security of IoT devices, particularly focusing on smart door locks, by using cryptographic techniques to ensure that data commands are only executed by authorized users. This method involves creating a private and public key pair for each user and device, allowing for the signing and encryption of commands such as "OPENDOOR" to prevent unauthorized access. The process utilizes Virgil's open-source SDK for data verification, PubNub for message delivery, and Virgil's key management service to securely exchange keys for end-to-end encryption. The tutorial demonstrates how to implement these security measures in real-world scenarios, addressing the vulnerabilities in IoT devices that arise due to their small size and lack of regular firmware updates. By embedding security measures from the beginning, the IoT industry can mitigate risks associated with compromised devices, which can range from minor breaches to life-threatening situations.

SendGrid offers a robust solution for developers to send customized transactional emails via websites or mobile applications, using HTML and CSS styled templates created in the SendGrid Admin Portal. The process involves creating a dynamic transactional template, which can be triggered through a simple API call, and integrating it with PubNub to automate email delivery. Developers can set up a free account on SendGrid to create a template, customize it with variable substitutions, and test its functionality. By integrating PubNub, developers can send a publish message containing user details, which is processed by a serverless function and formatted into an XHR POST to be sent by SendGrid. The setup requires importing the PubNub JavaScript SDK, deploying the SendGrid block, and storing API keys in a function vault for secure access. Once configured, this setup allows automated emails to be sent whenever a PubNub publish message is sent, facilitating seamless communication with users.