Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. (head office: Miyawaka City, Fukuoka Prefecture; President: Iwao Futahashi) and TRIART Limited (location: Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture; Representative: Kentaro Imazu) jointly developed a secure camera solution with support from Apple, Inc. in the United States and MobileIron, Inc. The solution allows iPhone cameras to be used for work while preserving corporate secrets. This world-first solution is in full use at Toyota Motor Kyushu, and the companies are considering commercializing it as a business solution for global enterprises.
(Photo) Employee code entry screen
As smartphones and tablets rapidly become widespread, more companies are using these smart devices instead of PCs to take advantage of their convenience. However, these companies often handle confidential information. Most have taken measures to prevent leaks by restricting camera-equipped phones and smartphones, which can send information outside the company through the simple act of taking a photo.
At the same time, some routine work requires photographs to document tasks. In these cases, strict rules are needed for managing images, clearly specifying the photographer, date and time, location, and data storage method. In practice, however, responsibility was left to the discretion of the person taking the photo.
To address these challenges, Toyota Motor Kyushu and TRIART developed a secure camera solution using Apple iPhones that centrally manages everything from taking photos to viewing stored images. It has now entered use in Toyota Motor Kyushu automobile production operations.
This system disables photography in the standard camera app through iPhone camera controls and allows photos to be taken only with the dedicated app. At launch, the app requires employees to enter their employee number for authentication, identifying the photographer. Photos are uploaded to a dedicated management server without leaving viewable data on the iPhone. Access is restricted to the photographer and administrators to prevent information leaks. Companies handling confidential information have often restricted bringing in smartphones with camera functions, even though photography is sometimes required for work. Secure management of images and photographer information has therefore been an important challenge. We independently developed this groundbreaking solution to resolve these problems together and have started using it in operations.
This iPhone solution for work at Toyota Motor Kyushu was made possible through cooperation with Apple Japan and Apple, Inc. in the United States, MobileIron advanced iOS device management, and AppConnect MAM technology and web service APIs. Development was carried out jointly with TRIART in Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, as part of Toyota Motor Kyushu regional collaboration initiative to rediscover and make use of Kyushu strengths. This was Toyota Motor Kyushu first joint development with an IT startup. The company recognized TRIART strength in security technology for smart devices, leading to this collaboration.
TRIART is an IT startup originating from Kyushu Institute of Technology. Its main businesses are research and development of new technologies using IT and consulting, and it has developed many mobile applications and solutions. The company has a track record in remote medical apps for smartphones requiring strong security. It has many deployments at major companies for secure smartphone solutions and is highly regarded in Japan.
(Photo) List of captured photos
Company Profile
Company: Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc.
Head office: 1 Kamiyuki, Miyawaka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Representative: President Iwao Futahashi
Established: February 8, 1991
Capital: JPY 45 billion
Products: [Lexus]
HS250h, IS350C / IS250C, IS300C (export only), CT200h
RX450h / RX350 / RX270, ES300h / ES350 / ES250 (export only)
[Toyota]
SAI (Japan only)
[Units]
Engines and hybrid components
URL:http://www.toyota-kyushu.com/
Company: TRIART Limited (pronounced Yugen Kaisha TRIART)
Head office: CIRD 202, 680-41 Kawazu, Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Representative: Kentaro Imazu
Established: January 8, 2003
Capital: JPY 10 million
Business: IT solutions
IT consulting
Internet media
Information design
URL:http://triart.co.jp/