Intrinsic-ID Enables Secure Boot Software Authentication

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands -- The Dialog Semiconductor SC14453S is the world's first commercially available Voice over IP (VoIP) processor circuit that integrates Intrinsic-ID's patented Hardware Intrinsic Security IP— also referred to as Physical Unclonable Function (PUF).

In Hardware Intrinsic Security (HIS) technology a secret key is extracted like a silicon biometric or fingerprint from silicon hardware directly and only when required. By using this HIS-based fingerprint a firm binding of software and hardware is possible, offering superior levels of anti-tampering and anti-cloning characteristics.

This approach can ensure that only authenticated software can run on the SC14453S platform. A message authentication tag for a bootloader or software image of a particular customer is securely stored with the HIS IP of Intrinsic-ID, without the need for embedded non-volatile memory.

"We selected Intrinsic-ID's HIS technology because of its proven reliability, ease of integration and cost-effective silicon area footprint", said René Kohlmann, senior director at Dialog Semiconductor. "The resulting SafeKey solution for secure boot is programmable while at the same time providing authentication and top-level security".

"Dialog Semiconductor takes a lead position in providing the highest level of security in the VOIP processor market", said Tony Picard, VP Business Development at Intrinsic-ID. "Our HIS-based security IP enables Dialog Semiconductor's customers to ensure the integrity of their differentiating software with the highest level of anti-virus protection, through protecting their software with the electronic fingerprint that is unique for every device, making chips unclonable."

About Intrinsic-ID
Intrinsic-ID provides security solutions based on top-level security IP and software for cloud storage, mobile payments and content protection. Its unique and patented Hardware Intrinsic Security (HIS) technology—also referred to as Physical Unclonable Function—offers superior anti-tamper and anti-cloning features.

HIS allows binding software, applications and content, to a particular hardware device. HIS technology has received public endorsements by leading companies in the field of SmartCards, Automotive, Set-Top Box and Pay-TV, Networking & Communications, FPGA and Government applications.

Hardware Intrinsic Security is based on the fact that secret keys are extracted like a silicon biometric or fingerprint from silicon hardware directly and only when required. Attackers have nothing to find because no key is stored nor present in the power down state.

Intrinsic-ID's security IP excels by its ease-of-integration in a standard manufacturing flow, its availability in all modern technology nodes, its scalability and small area and/or SW footprint which enables mass-scale deployment in cost-sensitive consumer applications.

Intrinsic-ID delivers complete one-stop-shop solutions including security IP, security architectures and reference applications to offer our customers a fast-track to market. Intrinsic-ID was founded in 2008 as a spin-out of Royal Philips Electronics and is headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.