Security Requirements And Penalties Grow For Chipmakers


Governments and systems companies are fundamentally changing the rules around semiconductor security, forcing chipmakers and their suppliers to comply with tough new regulations that require resiliency in hardware. Unlike in the past, chips and systems deployed in these markets must be able to respond to threats rather than waiting for the next version of a chip or IP to address vulnerabilities... » read more

Physical Access Control Raises New Security Concerns


Experts At The Table: Semiconductor Engineering sat down to discuss hardware security challenges, including fundamental security of GenAI, with Nicole Fern, principal security analyst at Keysight; Serge Leef, AI-For-Silicon strategist at Microsoft; Scott Best, senior director for silicon security products at Rambus; Lee Harrison, director of Tessent Automotive IC Solutions at Siemens EDA; Mohit... » read more

Security Verification In Semiconductor Development


By Shylaja Sen and Mouadh Ayache As advanced chips become increasingly embedded in our daily lives, developers must remain vigilant about potential security vulnerabilities. On top of PPA (power, performance and area), the focus in semiconductor development has been on minimizing faults to reduce the possibility of failure in mission mode. No one wants an alpha particle to cause their autono... » read more

Agentic AI: Lots Of Little Black Boxes


AI is changing so quickly that it's not always clear how much of a security threat it poses for semiconductor design, and that uncertainty increases as AI agents are introduced into the mix. So far, the use of AI in chip design has been highly targeted. Most of what is included in design tools is some version of machine learning, bounded by tight control loops. EDA and IP vendors, large chip... » read more

Security Tradeoffs: A Difficult Balance


Experts At The Table: Semiconductor Engineering sat down to discuss hardware security challenges, including new threat models from AI-based attacks, with Nicole Fern, principal security analyst at Keysight; Serge Leef, AI-For-Silicon strategist at Microsoft; Scott Best, senior director for silicon security products at Rambus; Lee Harrison, director of Tessent Automotive IC Solutions at Sieme... » read more

Tag-Based Memory Verification System for RISC-V (Inha Univ., Intel Labs et al.)


A new technical paper titled "Efficient Hardware-Assisted Heap Memory Safety for Embedded RISC-V Systems" was published by researchers at Inha University, Intel Labs, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, and Korea National University of Education. Abstract "In recent years, memory safety issues in embedded environments have garnered significant attention, with spatial and ... » read more

10Base-T1S Ethernet And The Use Of MACsec For Link Security


10Base-T1S (henceforth in this blog referred to as T1S) is a relatively new standard for a 10Mbit/s single-pair Ethernet over an unshielded, single-twisted pair that was introduced with the IEEE 802.3cg-2019 specification. It brings Ethernet technology into the low-cost, edge applications space, enabling connection of “edge nodes” (remote sensors, actuators, light controls, etc.) to a “he... » read more

NVIDIA GPU Confidential Computing: Threat Model And Security Insights (IBM Research, Ohio State)


A new technical paper titled "NVIDIA GPU Confidential Computing Demystified" was published by IBM Research and Ohio State University. Abstract "GPU Confidential Computing (GPU-CC) was introduced as part of the NVIDIA Hopper Architecture, extending the trust boundary beyond traditional CPU-based confidential computing. This innovation enables GPUs to securely process AI workloads, providing ... » read more

Redefining SoC Design: The Shift To Secure Chiplet-Based Architectures


The semiconductor industry is undergoing a paradigm shift from monolithic system-on-chip (SoC) architectures to modular, chiplet-based designs. This transformation is driven by escalating design complexity, soaring fabrication costs, and the relentless pursuit of efficiency. However, as chiplet adoption accelerates, security becomes a critical concern, requiring robust measures to protect data,... » read more

Creating A Modular And Versatile State-of-the-Art Cryptographic Subsystem


As the demand for secure, high-performance silicon continues to grow, chipmakers are seeking cryptographic subsystems that are not only robust and efficient but also adaptable to a wide range of use cases. Whether targeting defense electronics, automotive systems, or industrial IoT, customers are looking for solutions that deliver certified, trusted, and future-proof security capabilities. A... » read more

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