Security for Embedded Systems: Flash Memory with Secure Element

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Security will be the focus for Swissbit at embedded world 2018 in Nuremberg, Germany (February 27 – March 1, 2018). On its booth #1-534 in hall 1, Swissbit will showcase its ranges of SSDs, CFast cards, eMMc as well as SD and micro SD memory cards for industrial use. Usecases for flash memory solutions with secure element that offer legally protected and secure data and communication protection as well as easy retrofitting and upgradability, will be highlighted at the booth. The latest products from Swissbit’s security product range are the PS-46 as pSLC SD memory card and a USB memory module with an option for a secure ROM memory function.

In time for embedded world 2018, Swissbit is introducing new additions to its PS-45u and PS-450u SD and microSD card series with security functions. With PS-46, a further SD memory card is added to the portfolio. The new card offers an interesting compromise between cost and endurance. As a pSLC it uses cost efficient MLC NAND chips and with half the memory size achieves an endurance that is 6.7 times longer. Swissbit’s security products are, for example, successfully used in tap-proof phones, police bodycams, industry/PLC and most recently also in cash registers. On their booth at embedded world, Swissbit will demonstrate examples for these and other applications.

DSGVO and secure IIoT

Now a GoPro video camera from the consumer market can be transformed into a tool for copy-protected video documentation using a password protected Swissbit SD card without any modifications to the camera itself. Dashcams, bodycams, SLR or surveillance cameras can be transformed into secure devices. Data of any kind is automatically made tamper-proof using secure WORM SD cards or USB sticks. In addition to overwrite protection, WORM memory offers integrated hash chaining with a data signature option. Swissbit will demonstrate on various single board computers, such as Arduino, ESP32, Wandboard and RaspBerry Pi, how efficiently boot processes and user data can be protected using hardware based security. This is particularly interesting given the fact that from mid-2018 the DSGVO and EU GDPR requirements will be compulsory for system providers. Swissbit’s security solutions with secure element address further important trendsetting applications and give embedded systems a unique ID. In the age of digitalization, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and the related security requirements, particularly for gateways, Swissbit’s secure memory solutions offer an attractive and user-friendly option to create a secure M2M communication connection even for already existing systems ensuring verifyably secure encryption of data traffic in the system.