Chip boosts embedded security for IoT

Hardware ‘secure elements’ will defend against hacking in Sigfox low-power wireless wide-area networks, claimed STMicroelectronics as it introduced such a device.

Internet of Things - IoT“It’s more important than ever to consider and plan the security architecture at the very beginning of the design and development of an IoT solution,” Sigfox chief marketing officer Laetitia Jay.

STSAFE-A1SX is a secure element in 4x5mm and 2x3mm packages based on a tamper-resistant Common Criteria EAL5+.

Communicating over an I2C bus, they connect to a node’s host  microcontroller and provide device ID and keys that allow secure plug-and-play connection to the Sigfox. Whether the frame is an up-link or down-link message, this secure element generates or verifies payload proof of integrity as well as optional encryption or decryption.



Keys and other secrets are provisioned in ST’s secure-personalisation center and remain protected inside the secure element until the end of the device’s life.

Planned for introduction in May, STSAFE-A1SX will come with development tools, boards and software. ST proposes it is used with Sigfox libraries, a STM32 MCU, and a S2-LP sub-GHz transceiver in IoT nodes.

Steve Bush

Steve Bush is the long-standing technology editor for Electronics Weekly, covering electronics developments for more than 25 years. He has a particular interest in the Power and Embedded areas of the industry. He also writes for the Engineer In Wonderland blog, covering 3D printing, CNC machines and miscellaneous other engineering matters.

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