security Archives

20th October 2020

Microchip: CryptoAuth Trust Platform Development Kit

The CryptoAuth Trust Platform Development Kit is the newest addition to Microchip’s CryptoAuthentication evaluation kits. This kit is designed to help explore and implement IoT solutions with a pre-provisioned ATECC608A Trust&GO, pre-configured TrustFLEX and fully customisable TrustCUSTOM products.

The Trust&GO and TrustFLEX products are an easy way to add hardware security to IoT Cloud solutions, accessory authentication, IP Protection, and firmware verification. When these kits are paired the Microchip development tools and Microchip provisioning systems, all project sizes – including low volume – can easily and readily implement secure authentication into applications. Provides a physical overview of connections, components and switch settings implemented on the board are provided in the user guide.

The CryptoAuth Trust Platform consists of ATSAMD21E18A that is the main MCU – which is pre-programmed with Microchip`s Secure Product Group (SPG) kit protocol. This protocol is responsible of the communication between the CryptoAuthentication devices and the host MCU over the USB HID interface. The data transfer between the secure elements and the host MCU is indicated by the Status LED.

Each of the secure element has a different I2C address that enables its communication with the host MCU hence eliminating line contention issues.

Features

ATSAMD21E18A Host MCU pre-programmed with kit Protocol Firmware
3 Secure Elements:
– Trust&GO – ATECC608A-TNGTLS
– TrustFLEX – ATECC608A-TFLXTLS Prototype
– TrustCUSTOM – ATECC608A-MAHDA
Debugger helps to read the debug information from the MCU
A dual port USB Hub that passes data between upstream and downstream devices
Compatible with Microchip Development Platforms – MPLABX and Atmel Studio 7
Kit name identified by software as CryptoAuth Trust Platform
USB connector for easy connection to the PC
DIP Switches for easy switching of the SDA lines between the on-board devices and mikroBUS
Supports mikroBUS for easy connection to MikroElectronika add-on boards
Supports I²C for the secure elements and I2C, SPI and UART for the mikroElectronica add-on boards.

System Requirements

Windows 7 or Windows 10 Operating System for use with MPLABX or Atmel Studio 7
Linux of Windows for use with Python tools
Python 3 or Later

Contact Us For More Information

2nd June 2020

IoT Solutions with Built-In Security from Digi

In the last decade, the IoT evolution has seen an ever-increasing number of embedded systems – large and small being connecting to the internet – ranging from wearables, smart home devices, automotive, transportation, security, medical, industrial to smart city control systems.

Billions of devices are connected to the internet and a majority are being designed to be remotely managed or field-upgradable from the cloud. This presents a huge landscape for cyber-attacks; from malicious firmware uploads to corrupt the functionality of the device, IP theft within the device or to hijack the device to gain access to the wider network it happens to be connected to.

To counter such threats in your design, the embedded designer now has to consider all aspects in the design that are prone to these types of attack. Typically, a full understanding from the cloud layer down to the gateway, the protocols, types of embedded hardware and memory used is required. For those who are not security experts, this could be a daunting task.

Thankfully, technology companies have not stood still on this subject and have developed robust solutions to help embedded designers on this subject by offering embedded technologies with security built in.

Digi International provides a suite of products which all incorporate their Trustfence® security framework designed to run on the Digi range of embedded products. From the XBee3® wireless control modules, to high performance ConnectCore® CC6UL and CC8x NXP iMX based processor SoMs, Digi industrial cellular gateways.

In conjunction with Trustfence®, there is Digi Remote Manager® (DRM®): a cloud management layer that can be integrated to a variety of cloud platforms e.g. AWS, Azure, Google. By using DRM®, the end products can be deployed, remotely managed and upgraded with a high level of confidence that the network of edge devices remain secure. Preconfigured APIs are available for customers to tailor their DRM® solution for deployment, remote access and management of the assets. A mobile app is also available for DRM®.

For more information, please use the form below to get in touch.

Author: Jason Good, Business Development Engineer

30th March 2020

Security Risks That Come With ‘Working From Home’

Digi’s Secure Remote Connectivity Solutions

During the current outbreak of COVID-19 and recent announcements from the government, many companies have had to adopt to the ‘working from home’ practice to ensure the health and safety of their employees whilst assuring business continuity.

Technology is remarkable is these days, allowing companies to easily adapt so easily and have the option to continue ‘business as usual’ from employees’ homes. However, it can inevitably come with security risks to your corporate and customer data, if not set up correctly. For example, home WiFi can present risks to your security compliance protocols and proprietary data.

Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate the security risks of data leakage and provide enterprise-level security at an affordable cost for businesses. One of the many options that we have are Digi’s cellular extenders. The cellular extenders that Digi offers are able to deliver connectivity in a compact, all-in-one solution that integrates with your existing corporate infrastructure and supports secure VPN tunnelling for maximum data security.

Digi also offers a cloud-based, secure central management platform: Digi Remote Manager. You can easily and safely monitor and configure your devices remotely; keeping track and protecting your vital connections, whilst ensuring compliance with security frameworks in Digi Remote Manager.

Digi: Scalable, Remote Connectivity Solutions Download