Swiss alarm transmission expert TUS first to obtain Kiwa RARS certificate
Swiss alarm transmission expert TUS Telekommunikation und Sicherheit was recently the first to be certified against Kiwa’s Remote Access for Remote Services (RARS) scheme, also known as K21048. TUS obtained the RARS certificate for ‘alarmVPN’, a secure virtual private network (VPN) solution integrated in TUS’ standard alarm transmission device.
Like many other modern telecom related devices, alarm transmission systems are increasingly being connected to the web. This offers numerous possibilities when it comes to availability and remote operating but can also entail security risks. Hackers or other ill-intended entities may obtain access to devices, causing information to fall into the wrong hands. For this reason it’s increasingly important to look at cyber security aspects at various levels in the chain.
Swiss alarm transmission expert TUS can boast decades of experience when it comes to end-to-end secure alarm chains. ‘At TUS our primary goal is to provide and operate a reliable infrastructure’, says Mike Jerin, CTO at TUS. ‘An important concern is that our customers and partners can find their way around the increasingly complex technical environment using modern and simple tools. Customers want to achieve maximum security and therefore trust a certified company.’
Secure VPN solution
TUS obtained the RARS certificate for ‘alarmVPN’, a secure virtual private network (VPN) solution integrated in TUS’ standard alarm transmission device. Mike Jerin explains: ‘You can, for example, access your hazard detection system or other systems for remote support or transmit operating data to a server and thus have access to useful plant data at all times. It is a great advantage if the remote access can take place via the standard SPT, as this is usually already installed at the customer’s site for the alarm system’.
TUS decided to certify ‘alarmVPN’ against Kiwa’s RARS scheme because the company wanted to launch a new version of the service for their major partners.
Transparency of quality
‘Nowadays, especially in our field of activity, customers want to be reassured’, says Mike Jerin. ‘Certifications give them this security. It contributes to the transparency of quality and enables us to prove that our systems are reliable and flawless. We are convinced that today a certification is of the essence when it comes to selecting a business partner. Customers want to achieve maximum security and trust a certified company.'
Important milestone
For certifying ‘alarmVPN’ TUS turned to Kiwa. ‘Kiwa has an excellent reputation all over the world. It is a trustworthy, reliable company involved in the businesses it certifies. Regarding our RARS certification the Kiwa auditors were very cooperative and competent. And demanding, which is a good thing as RARS certification was taken very seriously at TUS. The whole company is involved at different levels. The awarding of the certificate was celebrated internally as it represents the culmination of an important milestone.’
Kiwa’s RARS certification
Kiwa developed the Remote Access for Remote Services (RARS) scheme, also known as K21048. The RARS scheme is a collection of tests set up by Kiwa that focuses on different kinds of systems that are remotely accessible. An alarm system is a clear example of this kind of product. Read more on this page.
About TUS
TUS Telekommunikation und Sicherheit has been providing alarm transmission in Switzerland for more than 50 years. The company has over 39 thousand alarm transmitters in operation and collaborates with more than 100 installer partners. For more information www.igtus.ch.
Photo: Markus Balsiger and Mike Jerin from TUS are proud to receive the RARS certificate.