Laying the foundations for secure IoT applications

The heart of the eSecure module is a secure controller that enables full control over all security functions, especially those that shield the processor’s secrets such as encryption keys from the main applications running on the product. The module supports authentication of devices, firmware and application software, advanced anti-tampering features, protection against side channel attacks, a secure storage interface, and a scalable cryptographic engine supporting symmetric and asymmetric operations.

For many applications in the emerging IoT, establishing trust and security will be the key for widespread success. Think of products that send confidential data (e.g. medical or financial) or control sensitive equipment (e.g. self-driving cars, drones, machinery). In our highly networked environment, all these applications have to be protected around the clock against malicious attacks, tampering and data theft.

To help solve this conundrum, Barco Silex has packaged its acclaimed IP cores into the eSecure module, an IP module that seamlessly integrates into ASIC/SoC designs. Sébastien Rabou, Product Manager Security at Barco Silex commented: “The eSecure module is a turn-key solution to secure IoT products. In addition, our module is very flexible and scalable so that it can be dimensioned precisely according to the required performance and features of the customer’s product. eSecure gives access to full, rightsized security while at the same time freeing the application processor to do what it was designed for.”

“Barco Silex has a solid reputation as supplier of IP for various markets like Car2x, wearable devices, industrial, data centre and others,” added Thierry Watteyne, CEO of Barco Silex. “Our IP blocks are technically state-of-the-art and are among the most efficient and flexible available. With eSecure, we want to bring the same level of trust and security to the Internet of Things.”