Product category: Communications ICs (Wired)
News Release from: National Semiconductor | Subject: PC8374T and PC8392T
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 23 September 2004
I/O devices are trusted with PC security
Two new SafeKeeper Trusted Input/Output (I/O) devices are designed to embed security into desktop and notebook computer motherboards.
Two new SafeKeeper Trusted Input/Output (I/O) devices are designed to embed security into desktop and notebook computer motherboards These devices allow PC manufacturers to protect their customers' computer systems from hackers and viruses
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 5 Jan 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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"Using National Semiconductor's Trusted I/O chip for our newly launched desktop models helps make IBM ThinkCentre models featuring the IBM Embedded Security Subsystem the most secure industry-standard desktop PCs you can buy".
Unlike other security hardware, National's Trusted I/O devices integrate a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), Super I/O and embedded firmware to implement industry-standard Trusted Computing Group security functions.
TPMs are microcontrollers that securely store passwords, digital certificates and encryption keys for PCs and other systems.
These devices, which comply with Trusted Computing Group (TCG) specifications, protect computer software, such as BIOS, operating systems and applications, from unauthorised or malicious attacks.
IBM has used TPMs since 1999.
In an era of increased national security concerns and weekly reports of malicious attacks on PC systems, companies and consumers rely primarily on software programs to protect corporate and personal information.
Unfortunately, these software-based security solutions are still vulnerable to attacks.
In contrast, National's Trusted I/O devices integrate the TPM into the existing PC architecture (Super I/O), storing the computer's identity in silicon and making it virtually impossible for outsiders to locate key information.
Hardware solutions provide a stronger foundation for a secure computing infrastructure than stand-alone software systems.
This infrastructure provides protected storage of cryptographic or sensitive data, authenticates a host computing device by verifying its identity to other computing devices, and supplies metrics that provide a reliable and trusted network environment.
National's SafeKeeper family includes two parts, the PC8374T desktop and PC8392T notebook Trusted I/O devices, which are based on National's embedded 16bit CompactRISC core technology.
Both reside on the low-pin-count (LPC) bus, an ideal place for integration because it sits at the intersection of input devices to the PC.
As these new Trusted I/O devices are pin- and software-compatible with National's current Super I/O products, system engineers easily can create a dual-system design that can accept either part.
This gives manufacturers flexibility to design "TPM-ready" systems without designing in an additional empty socket.
National developed its Trusted I/O devices to meet the Trusted Computing Group's TPM 1.1b specification.
TCG developed these specifications with industry-leading system, silicon and software providers to create standard interfaces and interoperability between hardware and software layers.
These industry standard interfaces allow National to partner with security software developers such as IBM and Wave Systems Corp to offer customers multiple software solutions that work in conjunction with National's integrated hardware.
National's desktop PC8374T Trusted I/O device is available now in a PQFP-128 package and is priced at $5 each in 1000-unit volumes.
The notebook PC8392T Trusted I/O device will be available in the fourth quarter of 2004 and will be priced at $7 each in 1000-unit volumes.
All packages are available lead-free.
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