Data Protection in Client-Based and Server Based Indoor Positioning Solution

As the use of smart devices has expanded, so has the use of location-based services in indoor spaces.

Fremont, CA: The level of security and privacy offered by indoor positioning systems is one of the most often requested issues by consumers and prospective customers. Location-based data is sensitive information that should not be handled carelessly. On the other hand, many doubts and misgivings are swiftly dispelled by a closer examination of the technical aspects.

The level of security and privacy offered by indoor positioning systems is one of the most often requested issues by consumers and prospective customers. Location-based data is sensitive information that should not be handled carelessly. On the other hand, many doubts and misgivings are swiftly dispelled by a closer examination of the technical aspects.

Data Protection in Client-Based Indoor Positioning Solution

Indoor navigation using client-based indoor positioning with beacons or WiFi is essentially incredibly secure for the user and does not compromise privacy. In client-based settings, the user's smartphone determines the location without the need for further contact with a server. The information is not shared or reviewed.

Furthermore, beacons are not storing devices for personal information. They only contain a few critical figures that can be used to assign, differentiate, and parameterize them. For example, using beacons for indoor navigation in critical locations like hospitals is absolutely risk-free. The beacon will never save information from medical records or other personal information.

Data Protection in Server-Based Indoor Positioning Solution

UIDs (unique ID of the mobile or beacon), RSSI (signal strength measured between receiver and telephone/beacon), and timestamp (time of activities) are communicated to the server by infsoft Locator Nodes in server-based applications such as anonymous tracking and analytic solutions. The MAC address is used to determine a certain mobile phone or beacon. However, no personal references are made in anonymous applications. In a non-reversible process, MAC addresses of all device classes are reused as anonymous device IDs in the systems using a hash method (SHA-1). As a result, determining the device's initial MAC address is no longer possible. The majority of manufacturers' smartphones currently accomplish this ("MAC randomization").

Some simple precautions can make indoor positioning quite secure. The use of modern cloud infrastructure is also beneficial.