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Atmel's New CryptoAuthentication Device Offers Improved Security for Microcontroller-based Systems

3rd March 2011

ES Admin

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Today at Embedded World Nuremberg 2011, Atmel Corporation announced a new, easy-to-use cryptographic authentication device with enhanced hardware security features and increased flexibility. The ultra-low power Atmel ATSHA204 is the first turnkey, optimized authentication device to include a 4.5Kbit EEPROM and a hardware SHA-256 accelerator. Fully tested ASF software libraries are available for Atmel AVR® and ARM®-based microcontrollers and are integrated within the new AVR Studio® 5. The new Atmel device is ideal for industrial, consumer, energy metering, home automation, computing and medical applications.

This new member of the Atmel CryptoAuthentication(TM) family includes optimized hardware security features designed to authenticate objects, control the OEM supply chain, prevent piracy of software or other intellectual property (IP), and protect sensitive data. The capability of this product to securely generate, store or transfer secret keys makes it the ideal complement to the AES accelerators in microcontroller-based systems. Because the device has 256-bit keys, which makes it larger than any other authentication device on the market, system architects can have the confidence that their designs will remain secure over the complete lifecycle of the system.

Atmel is committed to offering easy-to-use crypto products that incorporate the latest NIST cryptographic algorithms for the highest level of trust, said Kerry Maletsky, director of Crypto Products, Atmel Corporation. These products fill the void for secure storage needs missing in most microcontroller and ASIC solutions for component authenticity, firmware integrity checks, secure storage of proprietary and confidential data storage, and so on. Even more, these devices are so easy to use that an application developer can confidently implement an authenticity check without knowledge of cryptography.

The new Atmel CryptoAuthentication device includes enhanced security features to protect the EEPROM content including an active metal shield, internal memory encryption, secure test modes, glitch protection and voltage tamper detection. Designed using the same methods and components as Atmel's Common Criteria Certified TPM, the device offers an internal high-quality random number generator that can be used in crypto protocols to prevent replay attack. Combined with many other internal hardware features, the ATSHA204 greatly increases the difficulty of a successful hardware attack on the security devices in OEM batteries, game consoles, printer cartridges, licensed accessories and more.