Coronavirus Track & Trace Apps On A Deadline

The British  government revealed details of the British Coroavirus contact tracing app developed by the British Healthcae technology divison NHSX, which is now being tested on the Isle of Wight and  if it proves successful will then be launched to the rest of the UK. Contact tracing identifies those who may have come into contact with an infected person - either through an app or by phone and email - so they can avoid potentially passing the disease on.

The app went live on the island on May 5. virus cases in the UK have reached more than 246,406 and are still increasing and it looks like time is running out to finalise a test, track and trace strategy to avoid a possible second surge in coronavirus cases,

The NHS Confederation has warned of "severe" consequences to staff and patients if the right system was not established quickly, saying that lockdown measures should not be eased until a clear plan was in place.NHSX

It follows the Prome Minister Boris Johnson's pledge to introduce the NHSX system in England from June. But in a letter to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the NHS Cofederation warned that without a clear strategy the UK was at greater risk of a second peak of the virus. The Department of Health said it would set out details about test, track and trace in due course and it had recruited 21,000 contact tracers with "thousands more to follow".

NHSX App

The June target date for wider deploymnt of the NHSX app coincides with the earliest possible date for the gradual reopening of schools and non-essential shops in England and at least one British government's most senior scientific advisers has said an effective tracing system needed to be in place before lockdown restrictions could be changed.

The purpose of the contact-tracing app is to try and track down people and alert them of the needs for self-isolation faster than traditional methods. Users who download the app to their phone can voluntarily opt-in to record details of their symptoms when they start to feel unwell

The app keeps a trace of others who have been in close contact through Bluetooth signals that transmit an anonymous ID. These low energy Bluetooth signals perform a digital "handshake" when two users come into close contact, but keep that data anonymous. 

Apple & Google App

The two tech giants have collaborated to offer every country a piece of technology that will help turn all iPhones and all Android phones (apart from newer Huawei devices) into contact tracing devices. Apps that use the API (which must be made by a public official) send users “exposure notifications” if they have been in contact with someone who contracted coronavirus. 

The system records contact as when a smartphone is within a couple of feet of another device for up to 10 minutes. Bluetooth wireless technology can sense devices from up to 15ft away.

Even if people from different countries or states have different contact tracing apps, the system is interoperable and will be able to alert them to exposure. Authorities that want to collect location data of people will not be allowed to use the technology, but are open to building their own. 

In coming months, they will integrate the technology directly into their operating systems to reach more people. In contrast to the NHSX app which is being developed on an incompatibe centralised database concept. The Apple / Google tools will be “decentralised” and not send data to central health authorities, but will instead pass it from phone to phone.

Google said that the tools would be added to Android via a download in the Google Play store. Apple will offer it via an iOS software update. Apple said the goal is to make it compatible with as many iPhones as possible, including older models.

The Apple / Google functionality will only be available to public health apps so outsider developers won’t be able to use that data. It also means that users will have to download an official app to input test results.

BBC:       Telegraph:      Express

You Might Also Read: 

Fake Messaging Affects Australian Virus Tracing App:

 

 

 

« German Government Hit By Russian Hackers
Cyber Security At Schiphol Airport Is Ineffective »

ManageEngine
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

Exploit Database (EDB)

Exploit Database (EDB)

The Exploit Database is a CVE compliant archive of public exploits and corresponding vulnerable software, developed for use by penetration testers and vulnerability researchers.

ASU Online - Information Technology Program

ASU Online - Information Technology Program

The Information Technology program at ASU Online provides you with the expertise to design, select, implement and administer computer-based information solutions.

Cradlepoint

Cradlepoint

With Cradlepoint customers leverage the speed and economics of wired and wireless Internet broadband for branch, mobile, and IoT networks while maintaining end-to-end visibility, security and control.

Sangfor Technologies

Sangfor Technologies

Sangfor is a global leader of IT infrastructure, security solutions, and cloud computing.

Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP (JMBM)

Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP (JMBM)

JMBM is a full service law firm providing counseling and litigation services in a wide range of areas including cyber security.

AdaptiveMobile Security

AdaptiveMobile Security

AdaptiveMobile Security, a world leader in mobile network security, protecting more than 2.2 billion subscribers worldwide.

LaoCERT

LaoCERT

LaoCERT is the national Computer Incident Response Team for Laos.

GreyNoise Intelligence

GreyNoise Intelligence

GreyNoise Intelligence is a cyber security company that collects, labels, and analyzes Internet-wide scan and attack data.

Systems Assessment Bureau (SAB)

Systems Assessment Bureau (SAB)

Systems Assessment Bureau is an internationally recognized ISO Certification Body with a unique vision of “Excel together with global standards”.

Nanitor

Nanitor

Nanitor is a powerful cybersecurity management platform focusing on hardening security fundamentals across your global IT infrastructure.

NetApp

NetApp

The NetApp portfolio includes intelligent cloud services, data services, and storage infrastructure that helps organizations manage applications and data everywhere across hybrid cloud environments.

Seraphic Security

Seraphic Security

Seraphic Security provides attack protection to enable safe browsing for employees or contractors, as well as advanced governance controls to enforce enterprise policies across devices.

Dexian

Dexian

Dexian is a leading provider of staffing, IT, and workforce solutions with nearly 12,000 employees and 70 locations worldwide.

Falconfeeds

Falconfeeds

Falconfeeds empowers businesses and security professionals with immediate access to the latest and historical threat intelligence data.

DHCO IT

DHCO IT

The DHCO IT team are experts in IT support, cyber security, cloud support and disaster recovery, and are Microsoft 365 partners.

Technoware Solutions

Technoware Solutions

Technoware Solutions is a global company committed to helping entities navigate the digital waters of modernizing their system processes in an ever changing cybersecurity landscape.