Security coprocessor keeps PC platforms safe

National Semiconductor has developed a novel PC security coprocessor for securing data, authenticating users and checking the status of the system's hardware.

National Semiconductor has developed a novel PC security coprocessor for securing data, authenticating users and checking the status of the system's hardware.

The SafeKeeper PC21100 trusted platform module (TPM) is the first of several National coprocessors with enhanced security functionality that supports version 1.1 of the Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA) security specification.

The SafeKeeper TPM provides protected storage of cryptographic and sensitive data, authenticates a host computing device by verifying its identity to other computing devices, and supplies metrics that provide a reliable and trusted network environment.

It acts as a "root of trust" - a dependable block that can report the security status of the rest of the system.

As it is hardware-based, it is not vulnerable to attacks like conventional software-only solutions.

The SafeKeeper TPM is the most basic building block of the TCPA security specification.

It is not accessible by the host CPU except through formalised methods and is secured by industry standard cryptographic techniques.

The SafeKeeper TPM consists of a processor, memory, peripherals, cryptographic accelerators and embedded firmware to implement the TCPA security function.

"We have recognised the need for increased "trust" in PC platforms.

That's why we are working with industry partners and playing an active role in the TCPA to enable trustworthiness in electronic transactions", said Joel Christensen, marketing director of Intel's desktop platform solutions division.

"SafeKeeper security technology puts hackers back where they belong - on the outside, unable to get into your system", said Ulrich Seif, chief information officer for National Semiconductor.

"Computers need security to protect everything from credit card numbers to confidential corporate data.

With millions of people on the Internet conducting e-commerce and other tasks that were unheard of only a few years ago, the opportunities for unauthorised break-ins, criminal mischief and virus attacks are greater than ever.

With SafeKeeper security technology, people can trust that their computers are secure and private, whether they're at home or at work".

The increasing vulnerability of computers is costly.

Computer Economics, a California-based research firm, estimates the worldwide economic impact of virus attacks in the last two years accounted for a $30 billion loss.

With the TCPA specification and design-in of National's security module, OEMs have a new way of adding value to their products and building trust into their brands.

TCPA and National's SafeKeeper TPM bring a more integral security solution to PCs apart from traditional band-aid approaches that have consisted of layers between the outside world and the PC.

Specifically, National's TCPA-compliant family of security co-processors help protect information from unauthorised users, stop unwanted intervention or observation, reduce virus attacks, add reliability for transactions and communications, and increase privacy.

The SafeKeeper PC21100 TPM, a member of National's Trusted I/O family of devices, resides on the LPC bus and provides security functions as defined by the TCPA specification.

The SafeKeeper TPM includes embedded RISC core technology, flash memory for secured information storage and a cryptographic accelerator that supports the core.

The SafeKeeper TPM quickly and efficiently generates cryptographic key pairs, one public and another private, that forms the basis of encryption algorithms like RSA.

The ability to hold the private key confidential is crucial to the success of the method.

Also, the SafeKeeper TPM has optimised techniques to hash data (a quick and secure way to determine data validity) without burdening the host processor.

In addition, the SafeKeeper TPM integrates a variety of system functions, enabling efficient implementation of a highly secure system.

The availability of an ultra-thin (0.8mm) LLP package along with aggressive power management make SafeKeeper an ideal solution for portable applications also.

Included with the device is a complete software suite that includes embedded firmware, BIOS drivers and a host stack.

National's SafeKeeper PC21100 TPM is available now in a 28-pin PLCC package for desktop applications and a 36-pin LLP package for laptop applications.

In 1000 unit quantities, the SafeKeeper TPM costs $11.75.

(This was Electronicstalk's Top Story on 28 February 2002).

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