Last Updated on October 22, 2023 by Kevin Chen
Image Source: Mouser electronics
The security industry is changing fast. New threats, new technologies and new players are reshaping the way we think about securing data and protecting networks.
In this dynamic environment, security IC stands out as one of the most promising sub-segments. These small and cost-effective chips are expected to play a key role in accelerating the adoption of security solutions because they offer significant advantages over general-purpose processors.
Moreover, they can be used as acceleration engines in hybrid cloud infrastructure or as application-specific co-processors that can run inside an endpoint device or a data center without requiring any changes to its software stack or operating system.
If you’re not yet familiar with this technology, read on for everything you need to know about security IC: the basics.
Understand what security IC is
Security IC is a specialized computer chip that is optimized for security-related functions. Security ICs are designed to perform critical security functions such as protecting the integrity of data, authenticating users, and encrypting data at the hardware level.
Security ICs can be used in many different ways: as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), as co-processors, or as security accelerators.
These security functions are highly computationally intensive, which means it takes a long time to perform them.
General-purpose central processing units (CPUs) are not optimized for these tasks.
In fact, security functions can actually degrade the overall performance of a system because the CPU must spend time on those functions instead of performing the tasks for which it was originally intended.
What are the functions of a security IC?
The core functionality of a security IC includes encryption, authentication, and data protection.
These functions are performed using a combination of cryptography algorithms, low-power processors, and/or memory blocks.
In addition, security ICs usually feature integrated circuits and/or software that are designed to perform hash functions and other mathematical tasks related to data integrity.
The more sophisticated security ICs also include embedded security features.
These features are designed to authenticate the device and protect sensitive data. They can also provide assurance that the device is running genuine software.
Components of security IC
Security ICs come with a number of key components, including encryption engines, authentication modules, and secure memory blocks. Encryption engines are responsible for protecting data by transforming it into an unreadable format.
Authentication modules are used to verify the identity of users. Secure memory blocks ensure that sensitive data is protected against unauthorized access when it’s being stored inside the device.
These chips also come with special-purpose hardware that performs specialized functions.
These components are designed to optimize the overall performance of the chip.
Some of the special-purpose hardware includes accelerators, co-processors, and specialized cores.
Design and structure of security IC
The design and structure of security ICs vary from one manufacturer to the next.
The design of a chip reflects the specific priorities, capabilities, and technological choices of the manufacturer.
The design of a security IC is usually governed by the following objectives.
– Integration: Integration is the degree to which a chip’s various components are combined into a single unit. Most security ICs feature high degrees of integration because they require some degree of specialization and customization.
– Scalability: The scalability of a security IC refers to the ability to adjust the capacity of the chip to handle larger workloads.
This can be achieved by adding more cores or increasing the frequency of the existing cores.
– Power Efficiency: Power efficiency is the ability to perform challenging tasks while consuming minimal amounts of power. This is achieved by selecting the right processor architecture for the job and by selecting the appropriate operating frequencies.
– Security: The security of a chip refers to the robustness of its design. A security IC is designed with security in mind. This includes the ability to identify and resist malicious attacks or other attempts to compromise the system.
Key applications of security IC
There are many different applications for security ICs. This includes securing IoT devices, protecting server data, securing data in storage systems, securing data in cloud infrastructures, securing data in edge computing systems, securing IoT gateways, and more.
These applications can be broadly categorized into three different types of security applications: network security, infrastructure security, and application security.
Network security
Network security refers to the protection of data as it travels across computer networks. This includes protecting information as it travels across WAN or LAN links. Network security can also include the protection of data as it travels across the Internet.
Infrastructure security
The goal of infrastructure security is to protect the physical infrastructure of the organization. This includes protecting the hardware, the software, and the data that’s stored in databases or file repositories.
Application security
The goal of application security is to protect the applications that run on top of the infrastructure. This can include protecting web applications, business applications, and mobile apps.
Main features of security IC
– Integration: Integration refers to the degree to which all of the circuits and components of a chip are combined into a single unit.
– Scalability: The scalability of a security IC refers to the ability to adjust the capacity of the chip to handle larger workloads. This can be achieved by adding more cores or increasing the frequency of the existing cores.
– Power Efficiency: Power efficiency is the ability to perform challenging tasks while consuming minimal amounts of power. This is achieved by selecting the right processor architecture for the job and by selecting the appropriate operating frequencies.
– Security: The security of a chip refers to the robustness of its design. A security IC is designed with security in mind. This includes the ability to identify and resist malicious attacks or other attempts to compromise the system.
– Performance: Performance is the capacity of a chip to complete challenging tasks quickly and efficiently.
How do I tell that my security IC is good?
Image source Teguar
There are a number of ways to determine the quality of a security IC. These include:
– Benchmarking: Benchmarking a security IC is the process of testing its performance against a set of predefined standards.
– Security Tests: Security tests are used to verify that a security IC is resistant to malicious attacks and other forms of compromise.
– Security Certification: Security certification involves the review and testing of hardware and software designs by independent third parties. Before you buy the IC, ensure that it has all the necessary security certifications from all the relevant bodies.
Technical specifications of security IC
You don’t just buy any chip from a security chip distributor and install it into your systems. You need to check out its technical specifications.
The technical specification of a security IC can be used to determine its overall quality and functionality.
The specification includes all of the key performance metrics, operating frequencies, and other technical parameters of the chip.
These specs include:
-Operation voltage: This is the maximum voltage that a chip can withstand.
-Maximum current: The maximum amount of current drawn by the device.
-Maximum switching frequency: The maximum frequency at which the device can be switched on and off.
-Operating temperature range: This is the range of temperatures in which a chip can operate normally.
-Storage temperature range: This is the range of temperatures to which a chip can be exposed without suffering permanent damage.
-Dimensions of the security IC: Check out the measurements of the chip to ensure that it will fit into a space of your choice.
-Security features: This is a list of security features that the chip offers.
What is security IC embedded software?
Security IC embedded software is a software program that is specially designed to run on a security IC.
This software allows the chip to perform the security operations that it was designed for.
These include encryption, decryption, authentication, and other similar functions.
This software is written and customized for a specific IC. It should meet the requirements of the IC and its application area.
Major threats to the security chips
As we have discussed, security ICs are designed to offer security to a device.
However, despite this, they are also under various security threats. And when their security is compromised, this will eventually affect their performance on the device.
Some of these threats include:
-Data manipulation: The data that is handled by the IC may be manipulated. This can happen when the data is being transmitted to the IC or when it is stored within the IC.
-Data interception: This refers to an attack where a third party intercepts the data that is being transferred between the host and the IC.
-Data tampering: Here, a third party will attempt to corrupt or alter the data that has been handled by the IC.
-Physical attack: This occurs when a third party physically attacks (physically damages) an IC in such a way that its security features are compromised.
-Cloning of the security IC: This is the process where an attacker attempts to copy the design of a security IC. This is done so as to be able to create ICs that are similar in terms of their functions.
-Reverse engineering: This refers to a process where an attacker tries to analyze a security IC in order to figure out how it works and how it can be compromised.
How are these threats handled?
Integrated IC manufacturers have come up with various methods to deal with threats on the security ICs.
Data manipulation is handled by using a cryptographic algorithm. The algorithm will ensure that the data that has been manipulated will be identified by the IC.
On the other hand, interception is dealt with by using an IC that can detect when it has been tampered with and then take appropriate measures to counter it.
Data tampering is handled by using an IC that can identify when its internal registers have been tampered with and then take appropriate measures to counter it. This can be done through the use of a CRC or a message authentication code (MAC).
Physical attacks are handled through physical shielding and physical access control mechanisms.
Cloning of security ICs is dealt with using an IC whose design has been patented so as to avoid replication of the design.
Choose a security IC distributor in China
When choosing a security IC distributor in China, it’s important to choose a reliable and trustworthy partner.
This is important not only because you’re investing in new products, but also because you’re investing in the growth of your business.
Here are some tips to help you find the best security IC distributor in China:
– Identify your needs: Before you begin looking at security IC distributors, it’s important to understand the exact needs of your business. This will help you identify the right security ICs for the job and the appropriate pricing.
– Do your research: Once you’ve identified the needs of your business, it’s time to do some research. Not only should you be able to identify the appropriate pricing, but you should also be able to find a security IC distributor in China that offers the right products at the right price.
– Ask for references: Before signing any contracts with a security IC distributor in China, it’s important that you ask for references. You can contact these references and ask them about their experience with the company. This will help you determine if they’re a good fit for your business.
– Don’t let price be your only factor: While it is important that you choose a security IC distributor in China that offers competitive pricing, this shouldn’t be your only factor when making your decision.
Otherwise, we at ICRFQ are always ready to ensure that you get the right security IC for your application.
We are a trusted distributor of security ICs in China. We provide competitive pricing and reliable service to all of our customers. We aim to be your trustworthy partner in the security IC industry for many years to come.
If you want to find more Electronic Components Distributors, please check out the following articles:
Electronic Components Distributors In the USA
Electronic Components Distributors In UK
Electronic Components Distributors In China
Electronic Components Distributors In India
Electronic Components Distributors In Singapore
Electronic Components Distributors In Malaysia
Electronic Components Distributors In Vietnam
Electronic Components Distributors In South Korea
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