Atmel Corporation announced an embedded development kit for CryptoController, Atmel's Trusted Platform Module for non-PC embedded applications. For the first time, developers will have the ability to easily integrate the security provided by TPMs into embedded designs. This kit simplifies code development for communicating with CryptoController, providing a jumpstart for embedded developers who have little or no experience with TPMs.
Historically, TPMs, microcontrollers that store keys, passwords and digital certificates, have been implemented in PC environments, driven by the Trusted Computing Group specifications. The need for higher levels of security has now moved beyond the PC space and includes multifunction printers, gaming, and networking, for example.
The CryptoController kit simplifies embedded system code development for communicating with a TPM. Previously, developers had to have a detailed understanding of trusted platform technology in order to incorporate it into their designs. Now, this kit provides easy to use examples of how to configure and utilize the TPM in the developer's own application.
Basic TPM functionality is demonstrated, and source code is provided to enable developers to quickly implement their own security applications utilizing the higher level of security provided by the TPM. The CryptoController development kit includes a small TPM SMBus module board mounted on an AT90USBKEY board; a standard A to mini B USB device cable; a mini A to receptacle A USB host adapter; 9-Volt battery alternate supply cable; and USB flash drive containing documentation and demonstration software.
Secure storage and transmission of data is critical to businesses and consumers all over the world. Countless stories have emerged in the media regarding the financial losses suffered when corporate or government datais stolen. Hackers are using ever more sophisticated methods to attack computers and networks. And it is widely believed that growth of internet commerce is being held back by the lack of confidence in the security of the overall system. The USB interface provides trouble free connectivity and flexibility. Designers can initiate code development using any PC to build a hardware root of trust in any embedded system.
Secure algorithms typically require large keys, from 64 bits to 2048 bits in length - but these are too long and complicated to remember so they must be stored on the disk. Access to these keys is typically gated by some sort of password, which the user must remember. A sophisticated attacker can usually crack such security easily, leaving the user exposed to malicious activity. Atmel's family of secure embedded processors solves this problem.
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