26 April 2010
License agreement addresses fpga security
Actel has signed an agreement to use Cryptography Research's patents and enhance the security of its products against differential power analysis (dpa) and other side channel related attacks.
The agreement allows Actel to use dpa countermeasures to protect bitstream loading on Actel fpgas. This enables its customers to protect their IP and cryptographic keys using power analysis and related attacks.
DPA is a form of attack that involves monitoring variations in the electrical power consumption of a target device, then using advanced statistical methods to determine cryptographic keys. Countermeasures to dpa are used to protect tamper-resistant chips used in a range of applications from banking and defence to smart electricity grids and wireless communication.
The new license also provides an option for Actel customers to implement their own or licensed third party DPA countermeasures on certain Actel products without requiring the customer to obtain a separate license from Cryptography Research.
"We are excited that Actel is the first major fpga vendor to license our dpa countermeasure technology," said Pankaj Rohatgi, technical director, hardware security solutions at Cryptography Research. "We are pleased to provide Actel and its customers with the license and technology rights needed to meet government and industry requirements for power analysis countermeasures."
Author
Chris Shaw
Supporting Information
Websites
http://www.actel.com
http://www.cryptography.com
Companies
Microsemi
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