Solutions stack 2.0 enhances cyber resiliency Security & Monitoring
Cryptography for next-generation server platforms with faster boot times help ensure safe system operation as well as real-time monitoring of mainboard components against unauthorised firmware access
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s the next step in its ongoing mission to deliver secure, cyber-resilient system control solutions, Lattice Semiconductor
Corporation, the low power programmable leader, has announced the latest version of its solutions stack for secure system control, Lattice Sentry 2.0. The solutions stack enables next-generation hardware Root-of-Trust (HRoT) solutions compliant with NIST Platform Firmware Resiliency (PFR) Guidelines (NIST SP-800-193) and supporting 384-bit encryption. This new version of Lattice Sentry addresses the rapidly evolving security requirements of current and emerging server platforms by providing developers an efficient and secure way to quickly implement enhanced system and cryptographic applications. The stack supports firmware security for the communications, computing, industrial, automotive, and smart consumer markets. The Cloud Security Industry Summit (CSIS) is a group of cloud service providers working towards industry alignment on best-of-breed security solutions. In a whitepaper jointly authored with the
Open Compute Project (OCP), CSIS said, “Firmware represents a significant threat vector for computer systems, appliances, and associated infrastructure. If the first code that executes on a device when it powers on were to become compromised, then the entire system can and should no longer be trusted as secure. Firmware can be compromised through malicious attacks or unintentionally.”
“Staying on top of evolving cybersecurity threats is a constant struggle for most organizations. To help them keep pace, Lattice is committed to the ongoing improvement of the security, performance, and ease-of-use capabilities of our Sentry stack,” says Eric Sivertson, vice president of Security Business, Lattice Semiconductor. “Lattice is a long-time leader in server control solutions, and Lattice control PLDs are the first-on/last-off component in many servers currently in service. With the Sentry stack, developers can easily add support for strong firmware security to system control applications based on Lattice secure control PLDs, creating an ideal platform to establish a HRoT to validate the legitimacy of all firmware instances in a system.”
Key features for Sentry 2.0 include: • Heightened security – The Sentry solutions stack supports the Lattice Mach-NX secure control FPGA and a secure enclave IP block that enable 384-bit cryptography (ECC-256/384 and HMAC-SHA-384) to better secure Sentry-protected firmware against unauthorized access. Support for 384-bit crypto is a requirement for many next-generation server platforms.
• 4x faster pre-boot authentication – Sentry 2.0 supports faster ECDSA (40 ms), SHA (up to 70 Mbps), and QSPI performance (64 MHz). These features enable Sentry 2.0 to deliver faster boot times that help minimize system down time and reduce exposure to
attempted attacks on firmware during the boot process.
• Ability to monitor up to five firmware images in real-time – To further extend the PFR-compliant HRoT enabled by Lattice Sentry, the stack is capable of real-time monitoring of up to five mainboard components in a system at boot and during ongoing operation. Competing MCU-based security solutions, as an example, lack the processing performance to properly monitor that many components in real-time.
latticesemi.com/LatticeSentry
latticesemi.com/Mach-NX
COVID-19 accelerates demand for CCTV systems for remote monitoring, finds new study
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new study of CCTV system managers, commissioned by security technology company NW Security, found that nearly half (46 per cent) of medium
and large-sized businesses across England, plan to use their CCTV systems to support remote management of processes and people in the workplace.
The study also uncovered the fact that the primary reason for investing in CCTV systems in the workplace is to keep staff safe whilst working. One clear finding was that CCTV systems are increasingly being used for a new purpose during the pandemic: remote management. Many businesses from manufacturers to distribution centres have physical operations
www.cieonline.co.uk
which need ongoing visual monitoring from wherever managers are based during the pandemic. Frank Crouwel, managing director of NW Security explains, “CCTV systems can provide the eyes and ears for managers working from home or elsewhere. CCTV can help them to make sure systems and processes are running smoothly, ensuring staff are working safely and with sufficient support.” NW Security’s survey also asked medium and large-sized firms whether they expect their existing surveillance systems to be able to support a safe return to the workplace for most employees, in the light of COVID control measures.
Over half (52 per cent) of businesses felt CCTV could be used to provide another method of identification in support of some
workplaces’ drive for contactless access to work premises and buildings. Half (50 per cent) felt CCTV systems ought to be able to help manage and enforce social distancing in the workplace.
In addition, just under half (48 per cent) thought CCTV ought to be usable to trace all people movements in and around the office to ensure that staff were following directional arrows around buildings and wearing face masks for example.
Frank Crouwel adds, “Our managing director uncovers key areas where CCTV systems are being used to help businesses manage through the pandemic. Video surveillance systems are now supporting observance of COVID control measures associated with ‘back to the office’ pushes
after lockdowns for example. CCTV is also enabling more effective remote management during ‘full’ lockdowns when most of us need to be operating from home and minimising travel.
“It seems that there is a new realisation of the role of video in managing businesses. The increase in use of CCTV as a remote management tool has been running in parallel with the exponential rise of video conferencing during the last seven months. The pandemic has forced us all to use these existing video technologies, and it has simultaneously accelerated the demands placed on CCTV systems by managers right across businesses.”
nwsystemsgroup.com Components in Electronics March 2021 19
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