Microchip introduces New encryption microcontroller

     With the rapid development of 5G technology, including new cellular infrastructure, and more and more networks and data centers supporting the expansion of cloud computing capabilities, developers are looking for new ways to secure operating systems. Microchip Technology announces a new cryptographic MCU CEC1712. This crypto-powered microcontroller is equipped with Soteria-G2 custom firmware that terminates malicious programs such as rootkits and bootkits in systems booted via external Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) flash memory.

     Microchip's Soteria-G2 custom firmware is based on a fully functional CEC1712 Arm® Cortex-M4 processor in pre-boot mode, providing secure boot capabilities for operating systems booted via external SPI flash memory with hardware trust root protection. In addition, during the life of the system, this single chip computer also provides key revocation and code rollback protection functions, which can implement on-site security updates. This single chip computer conforms to the NIST800-193 guideline, can prevent, detect, repair damage, and ensure the overall reliability of the system platform firmware. The secure boot function and hardware trust root are essential for the system to protect against threats and prevent threat factors from being loaded into the system, and they only allow the system to boot using software trusted by the manufacturer.

     Soteria-G2 firmware, in combination with CEC1712 microcontroller, simplifies code development, reduces risk, and helps designers adopt and implement secure boot features more quickly. The Soteria-G2 firmware uses the CEC1712 immutable security bootstrap implemented in read-only memory (ROM) as the system trust root.

     "A Rootkit is a very covert malicious program that loads before the operating system starts, can evade regular anti-malware software, and is difficult to detect," said Ian Harris, Microchip's vice president of Computing Products. One way to protect against rootkits is to use the Secure boot feature. The CEC1712 microcontroller and Soteria-G2 firmware are designed to prevent threats from being loaded into the system."

     The CEC1712 secure bootstrap program loads, decrypts, and verifies firmware running on the CEC1712 microcontroller via an external SPI flash memory. The certified CEC1712 code then verifies the firmware stored in the SPI flash of the first application processor. The CEC1712 microcontroller supports up to two application processors, each equipped with two flash memory components. Microchip or Arrow Electronics offer customer-specific data preconfiguration options. This option is a secure manufacturing solution that helps protect against over-creation and counterfeiting. In addition to reducing development time by several months, this option greatly simplifies configuration logic, allowing customers to easily secure and manage devices without incuring third-party configuration service fees, certification fees, and other indirect costs.

     Aiden Mitchell, vice president of iot at Arrow Electronics, said: "Providing security configuration services for some of Microchip's flagship products is an important part of our offering. Soteria-G2 firmware and CEC1712 microcontroller are used to protect the system. As we move into the 5G era and access more and more connected solutions and autonomous machines, customer demand for such products will grow."

     In addition to protecting against malicious programs during 5G and data center operating system pre-boot, the CEC1712 microcontroller and Soteria-G2 firmware can help improve the security of connected autonomous vehicle operating systems, vehicle Advanced Driver assistance systems (ADAS), and other systems booted via external SPI flash memory.