STMicroelectronics Launches Platform Security Architecture (PSA)

STMicroelectronics (ST; NYSE: STM), the worlds leading semiconductor supplier across multiple electronic applications and the worlds leading Internet of Things (IoT) device Arm microcontroller manufacturer, recently released the Platform Security Architecture (PSA). PSA is a key technology to achieve best-in-class pervasive network security. STMicroelectronics STM32H7 high-performance microcontroller takes the same security concepts as the PSA framework and integrates them with the enhanced security features and services of the STM32 product family.

Individual users and organizations are increasingly relying on connected electronic devices to manage their time, monitor their health, handle social activities, enjoy or provide services, and increase productivity. Preventing interaction with unauthorized devices and is critical to protecting device identities, personal information, physical assets, and intellectual property. With the increasing scale and popularity of the Internet of Things, citizen security and national security are threatened. Equipment manufacturers must constantly innovate security systems to combat hackersendless means of intrusion, and PSA enables them to implement the most sophisticated security mechanisms on small devices with limited resources at an appropriate cost.

Michel Buffa, General Manager of Microcontroller Products at STMicroelectronics, said, "Security is the first priority to ensure the success of the Internet of Things.". Earning the trust of all end-users, from individual consumers to businesses and government agencies, is critical to the widespread adoption of the Internet of Things. Arms PSA platform makes the core security functions of autonomous Internet of Things devices, such as device identification and software over-the-air updates (OTA), more economical and scalable. We have integrated it into the STM32 microcontroller family, including the STM32H7 high-performance family, to work with existing security features.

STMicroelectronics STM32H7 MCUs integrate hardware security features such as hardware random number generators (TRNGs) and advanced cryptographic encryption processors to simplify the security design of embedded applications and global Internet of Things systems against cyber attacks such as network monitoring, spoofing, or man-in-the-middle intervention. In addition, the secure firmware loading feature helps OEMs ensure that product programming is secure and reliable, allowing firmware to be securely loaded into product devices even in non-in-house production environments such as foundries or program development companies. The secure key and software service pre-installed in the microcontroller for secure loading allows the OEM to hand over the encrypted firmware to the foundry, eliminating the possibility of intercepting, copying, or tampering with the firmware with code, which enables writing code to the device and verifying the devices functionality. Establish the root of trust mechanism required for the device to connect to the end user network to complete remote over-the-air (OTA) updates so that security patches or software upgrades can be downloaded and installed during the life of the device.

"Arm is working with the ecosystem to revolutionize the economics of security technology by introducing the PSA Platform Security Architecture, a common industrial framework for securing trillions of IoT devices in the future," said Paul Williamson, vice president and general manager of the IoT IP Business Group at Arm. ST embeds hardware security modules and firmware loading services in STM32H7 Cortex-M microcontrollers, and uses Arms PSA concept to promote security technology innovation in communication gateways, Internet of Things devices and other applications.