Data integrity, from temperature measurement to cloud storage using IoT
Connected sensors are powerful tools for the monitoring of temperatures and other parameters in many industries.
Guaranteeing the reliability and security of the collected data is a major challenge that involves control of the concepts of Data integrity, raw data, and the structuring of cloud hosting.
Data Integrity and temperature monitoring
In order to ensure its integrity, the data must be ALCOA +. This acronym defines a regulatory framework to which the collected temperature data is subject and that means: Attributable, Readable, Contemporary, Original, exActs and more.
The individual or the temperature monitoring system who performs the measurement must be easily identifiable. The measurement is permanently and lastingly recorded, and must be legible.
The measurement data are recorded once generated and kept in their original state or as a certified copy. Their content and meaning are also preserved. They are to be accurate and reflect with precision the performed activity or measurement.
To ensure their completeness, the data are available and cannot be deleted. They are chronologically recorded and with date and time information. They are accessible for an extended period and throughout all the product’s life-time.
These standards are essential both for monitoring temperature-controlled equipment and for temperature calibration operations of digital measurement chains whose data are stored in the Cloud.
The raw data notion
The connected temperature sensor detects physical changes in its state when taking measurements. An analogous-to-digital converter translates these changes into digital data. The recorder’s calibration table correct them to make accurate data. Then, date and time information completed them.
These exact and time-stamped data are stored in the temperature recorder and here constitute initial and original raw data. Copied to the Cloud solution by automatic transmissions or manual recovery commands, data move on the check step to make sure they match the original data. Then, are stored directly in the cloud database.
At this stage, they then become eligible raw data, in other words, they are the correct and exact copies of the original raw data. Their conservation and monitoring are carried out throughout their retention period.
How to secure the data of a Cloud solution?
The JRI-MySirius Cloud solution performs a specific error check in order to prove that the integrity of the received data. We have developed an encryption of the data preventing from an “easy” use, in the event of a possible interception of the data. Upon receipt in the JRI Cloud database, if the data are compliant, they are accepted. In case of non-compliance, they will be rejected and the event is traced in the audit trail or a log file.
To limit measurement losses, a relay module makes it possible to avoid radio white zones that may exist between the measurement chain and the radio receiver. The redundancy adding during data transmission is also a good way to limit these losses. Indeed, it consists of sending the measurement with the previous one, even several previous ones, at each transmission.
In addition, the JRI MySirius software allows both automatic and manual data recovery in case of detected losses.
These functions guarantee a recovery rate of measurements close to 100%. It is important to understand that this is not a loss of measurement but a temporary loss of communication due to the radio coverage.
The securing of the cloud hosting must obviously be effective
The JRI MySirius solution is hosted within Microsoft Azure, on two separate sites in France. Azure hosting is ISO 27001 certified, approved for storing health data and compliant with the GDPR. We have implemented a backup plan at the step of the Azure solution and within our internal information system.
On both sides, the databases are daily backed up, with one week’s retention on virtual machines. All backups are daily monitored and verified. A comprehensive test takes place each year to ensure that the backups are operational. Thus, we can guarantee the restoration of data from the JRI MySirius solution.
