embedded world: Crypto authentication device offers improved security
1 min read
Atmel has announced a new, cryptographic authentication device with enhanced hardware security features and increased flexibility. The company claims the ultra low power ATSHA204 is the industry's first turnkey optimised authentication device to include a 4.5Kbit EEPROM and a hardware SHA-256 accelerator.
Said to be ideal for energy metering, home automation, computing and medical applications, the device includes optimised hardware security features designed to authenticate objects, control the oem supply chain, prevent piracy of software or other IP and protect sensitive data. It also includes 256bit keys, which Atmel claims makes it larger than any other authentication device on the market. According to the company, fully tested ASF software libraries are available for Atmel AVR and ARM based microcontrollers and are integrated within the new AVR Studio 5.
"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," said Kerry Maletsky, director of crypto products, Atmel Corporation. "The devices are so easy to use that an application developer can confidently implement an authenticity check without knowledge of cryptography."
