STMicroelectronics launches Platform Security Architecture (PSA)

STMicroelectronics (ST; NYSE: STM), a globally leading semiconductor supplier spanning multiple electronic applications and a world leading manufacturer of Arm microcontrollers for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, has recently released its Platform Security Architecture (PSA). PSA is a key technology for achieving the best in class ubiquitous network security. STMicroelectronics' STM32H7 high-performance microcontroller adopts the same security concepts as the PSA framework and seamlessly integrates these concepts with the enhanced security features and services of the STM32 product family.

Individual users and organizations are increasingly reliant on managing time, monitoring health status, handling social activities, enjoying or providing services, and improving work efficiency through interconnected electronic products. Preventing unauthorized devices and interactions is extremely important for protecting device identity, personal information, physical assets, and intellectual property. With the increasing scale and popularity of the Internet of Things, both citizen security and national security are threatened. Equipment manufacturers must constantly innovate their security systems to combat the constantly emerging intrusion methods of hackers. PSA enables them to implement cutting-edge security mechanisms on small devices with limited resources at an appropriate cost.

Michel Buffa, General Manager of STMicroelectronics' Microcontroller Products Division, stated, "Ensuring the success of the Internet of Things is primarily about addressing security issues. Winning the trust of all end users, from individual consumers to businesses and government agencies, is crucial for the widespread adoption of the Internet of Things. Arm's PSA platform makes the core security features of autonomous IoT devices, such as device identification and over the air software updates (OTA), more economical and scalable. We have integrated it into the STM32 microcontroller family, including the STM32H7 high-performance series, to work in conjunction with existing security features

STMicroelectronics' STM32H7 MCU integrates hardware security features such as a random number generator (TRNG) and advanced cryptographic encryption processor, simplifying the security design of embedded applications and global IoT systems, and preventing network attacks such as network monitoring, deception, or man in the middle intervention. In addition, the secure firmware loading function helps OEM manufacturers ensure the safety and reliability of product programming, even in non internal production environments such as contract manufacturing plants or program development companies, firmware can still be safely loaded into product devices. To achieve secure loading functionality, the security keys and software services pre installed in the microcontroller allow OEM manufacturers to hand over encrypted firmware to the OEM factory, eliminating the possibility of code interception, copying, or tampering with firmware. This enables writing code to the device and verifying its functionality, establishing a trusted root mechanism required for the device to connect to the end-user network for remote over the air updates (OTA), in order to download and install security patches or upgrade software during the device lifecycle.

Paul Williamson, Vice President and General Manager of the IoT IP Business Group at Arm, said, "By launching the PSA Platform Security Architecture - a universal industrial framework that ensures the security of trillions of IoT devices in the future, Arm is working with the ecosystem to fundamentally change the economics of security technology. ST embeds hardware security modules and firmware loading services in the STM32H7 Cortex-M microcontroller, utilizing Arm's PSA concept to drive security technology innovation in application areas such as communication gateways and IoT devices