Microchip introduces PIC32CK 32-bit microcontroller equipped with hardware security module to easily implement embedded security functions

     New laws and regulations that have been in effect since 2024 put stricter requirements on cybersecurity for everything from consumer iot devices to critical infrastructure. From a product and supply chain perspective, meeting these new security compliance requirements can be complex, expensive, and time consuming. To provide developers with embedded security solutions that enable them to design applications that comply with regulatory requirements, Microchip Technology announced the new PIC32CK family of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUS). The family integrates the Hardware Security Module (HSM) subsystem and the Arm®Cortex®-M33 kernel using TrustZone® technology to help isolate and secure devices.

     The PIC32CK SG is the first 32-bit device on the market to combine the powerful security of HSM with TrustZone technology, a hardware-based security permission environment. Microchip's latest innovations for mid-range MCUS provide designers with cost-effective embedded security solutions that meet the latest cybersecurity requirements. The built-in HSM provides a high level of security for authentication, secure debugging, secure startup, and secure updates, while TrustZone technology provides additional protection for critical software functions. HSM accelerates a variety of symmetric and asymmetric encryption standards, true random number generation, and secure key management.

     Microchip's PIC32CK MCU supports the ISO 26262 functional safety and ISO/SAE 21434 cybersecurity standards. For increased flexibility and cost-effectiveness, the PIC32CK MCU family offers a variety of options to adjust the security level, memory and connection bandwidth to the requirements of the final application. Options available include up to 2 MB of dual-area flash memory and 512 KB of SRAM, as well as various connectivity options such as 10/100 Ethernet, CAN FD, and USB.

     Rod Drake, Microchip's vice president of MCU32 and MPU32 business unit, said: "The new requirements make security a must for most iot devices. PIC32CK provides a high level of hardware-based security for mid-range microcontroller applications, thus achieving cost effectiveness. "Microchip's tool ecosystem and security expertise help customers navigate the complexity of new requirements and support their products throughout their lifecycle."

     For product supply chains that require additional security protection, such as industrial designs, medical devices, home appliances, and consumer iot devices, PIC32CK will be supported through Microchip's Trust Platform Design Suite, which can be configured as a service. The platform enables secure factory configuration of keys, certificates, and IP without disclosing these secrets in the supply chain.