Microchip introduces the PIC18-Q24 series of microcontrollers to set a new standard for enhanced code security

     From phones and cars to smart thermostats and home appliances, more and more everyday devices are connected to the cloud. As connectivity increases, it becomes critical to deploy advanced security measures at the chip level to protect firmware and data. In response to current and expanding security threats, Microchip Technology has released the PIC18-Q24 family of microcontrollers (MCUS).

     In response to the threat of malicious reprogramming of devices in embedded systems, the PIC18-Q24 microcontroller introduces the Programming and Debugging interface Disable (PDID) function. When enabled, this enhanced code protection will lock access to programming/debugging interfaces and block unauthorized attempts to read, modify, or erase firmware.

     "A system is only as secure as its weakest link," said Greg Robinson, vice president of Microchip's 8-bit microcontroller business unit. Any programmable component can be vulnerable, so enhanced protection features must be implemented to prevent potential hacking attacks. Microchip's PIC18-Q24 family of microcontrollers is designed with advanced security in mind to help customers protect against threats at the bottom of their systems."

     Because many security systems often connect and communicate with a variety of sensors, memory chips, and processors, the PIC18-Q24 series microcontrollers feature multi-voltage I/O (MVIO) capabilities. This function does not require the use of an external level converter, so that the single chip microcomputer can connect the digital input or output at different operating voltages. In addition to reducing board complexity and bill of materials (BOM) costs, MVIO capabilities make the PIC18-Q24 series microcontrollers particularly suited for use as system management processors, performing monitoring and telemetry tasks for large processors. These seemingly routine tasks in embedded systems are often the most vulnerable to potential hackers.