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Azure

Azure Sphere

Create, connect, and maintain secured intelligent IoT devices from the edge to the cloud.

    Create, connect, and secure IoT edge devices

    Azure Sphere is a secured IoT platform for building solutions that start in silicon and extend through the OS and the cloud. Securely connect, manage, and protect new and existing intelligent devices.

    Diverse catalog of devices provides options to securely connect existing devices or build new highly secured intelligent devices

    Over-the-air update functionality and powerful development tools make it easy to deliver improvements and patches to any device

    Security improvements developed and deployed by Microsoft help protect against emerging threats across the device lifecycle

    Interoperation with IoT platform services like Azure IoT Hub and IoT Central simplifies deployment, creating business value faster

    Help secure intelligent devices from chip to cloud

    Protect your device, data, and infrastructure on all fronts—hardware, software, and in the cloud. Trust that your data estate is secured with an end-to-end IoT security solution to connect existing equipment and create new IoT devices. Connect your existing devices to the cloud with Azure Sphere certified guardian modules or get started embedding Azure Sphere into new devices with the development kit.

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    Deploy updates and maintain device operations

    Respond to emerging threats and new requirements with real-time security patches, OS updates, and improvements to your application. Every Azure Sphere instance comes with more than 10 years of Microsoft security services that include managed updates. When you're ready, deploy over-the-air (OTA) updates alongside your application directly to the IoT device.

    Accelerate time to market

    Prioritize your business strategy and focus on driving the innovation that benefits your business. Concentrate your resources and efforts on developing your intelligent edge devices, applications, and experiences to deliver business value. Reduce time to market with flexible implementation options and bring-your-own-cloud connectivity.

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    Develop secured IoT solutions

    Solve industry-specific business challenges with scenario-focused, chip-to-cloud solutions. Connect and operate your new and existing devices with IoT device security solutions built by Azure IoT partners.

    Azure Sphere and the seven properties of highly secured devices

    Microsoft research on bringing high-value security to low-cost devices identified seven essential properties for making devices highly secure. Easily build them into your IoT devices with Azure Sphere.

    • Hardware-based root of trust

    • Small, trusted computing base

    • Certificate-based authentication

    • Renewable security

    • Defense in depth

    • Compartmentalization

    • Failure reporting

    Comprehensive security and compliance, built in

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    Get started with an Azure free account

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    Start free. Get $200 credit to use within 30 days. While you have your credit, get free amounts of many of our most popular services, plus free amounts of 55+ other services that are always free.

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    After your credit, move to pay as you go to keep building with the same free services. Pay only if you use more than your free monthly amounts.

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    After 12 months, you'll keep getting 55+ always-free services—and still pay only for what you use beyond your free monthly amounts.

    Azure Sphere resources and documentation

    IoT Tech Community

    Check out the latest updates, insights, and projects from the Azure Sphere team on the Internet of Things Blog.

    Documentation

    Explore quickstarts, how-to guides, tutorials, and API reference documentation.

    Support options

    Explore the comprehensive support options that are available to meet your needs.

    Device Partner Center

    Sign in or register to get licensing information and support in the Device Partner Center.

    Frequently asked questions about Azure Sphere

    • No. Azure Sphere components are tightly integrated to help ensure a secure and simplified device. They are sold together for a one-time cost and cannot be purchased separately.

    • No. Microsoft works with a diverse group of expert hardware manufacturers and their broad ecosystem of vendors to design specialized Azure Sphere–certified chips that meet the needs of various markets. Extensive research and testing contribute to the development of the security technology and architecture for each chip.

    • No, Azure Sphere doesn't require you to pay ongoing fees. The one-time cost you pay for your chip includes access to the Azure Sphere OS and cloud-based security service, plus OS updates for the lifetime of your chip.

    • Yes, Azure Sphere guardian devices can help you protect the connection-capable devices and equipment already deployed within your organization. Guardian modules require little or no equipment redesign. They process data and control equipment without ever exposing the equipment to the network. Guardian modules protect your operational equipment from disabling attacks, simplify device retrofit projects, and boost efficiency through over-the-air (OTA) updates and IoT connectivity.

    • No. Azure Sphere is engineered to integrate with any cloud service—public or private. You can connect to other clouds for app data while running Azure Sphere or optimize efficiencies by using Azure Sphere alongside Visual Studio and Azure IoT.

    • Azure Sphere complements Windows IoT. Windows IoT provides a best-in-class solution for devices with rich user experiences. Azure Sphere fortifies IoT devices with Microsoft security innovations and expertise in hardware, software, and the cloud.

    • Azure Sphere supports coordinated vulnerability disclosure and encourages responsible reporting to Microsoft by security researchers and customers. If you believe you have discovered a security-related vulnerability with Azure Sphere or have been affected by one, please contact us. Include clear, concise, and reproducible steps, documented either in writing or video format, to help the security response team quickly reproduce, understand, and address the issue.

    • When you purchase the Azure Sphere solution from a distributor, you receive the following:

      • An Azure Sphere certified MCU
      • A license and device access to the Azure Sphere Security Service
      • An Azure Sphere OS license, which includes ongoing Azure Sphere OS updates

      These components will be packaged and sold together by our distributors for one low price.

    • No. There is no ongoing subscription fee or consumption fees associated with your Azure Sphere purchase or the Azure Sphere Security Service. There is never an additional cost for Azure Sphere beyond the initial, one-time purchase price. However, if you build an application for Azure Sphere that consumes other Azure services, normal Azure consumption charges for those services apply.

    • No. The Azure Sphere Security Service is engineered to let device manufacturers integrate with the tools and services they already use. While the Azure Sphere Security Service runs in Azure, our customers have the choice to connect to any proprietary or public cloud for app data, and a choice in which development tools they use. Leveraging Visual Studio and Azure IoT services, however, allows organizations to develop applications for Azure Sphere more efficiently.

    • Yes. Proper licensing of Visual Studio is required to use the Visual Studio Tools for Azure Sphere. Visual Studio has a number of licensing options, including a generous, free community license.

    • Learn more about Azure’s global infrastructure and availability.

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