Lattice
Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: LSCC), the low power programmable
leader, today announced the MachXO3D™ FPGA for securing systems against
a variety of threats. Unsecured systems can lead to data and design
theft, product cloning and overbuilding, and device tampering or
hijacking. With MachXO3D, OEMs can simplify the implementation of
robust, comprehensive and flexible hardware-based security for all
system components. MachXO3D can protect, detect and recover itself and
other components from unauthorized firmware access at every stage of a
system’s lifecycle, from the point of manufacturing all the way to the
system’s end of life.
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Lattice Semiconductor MachXO3D FPGA (Graphic: Business Wire)
Component firmware is an increasingly popular attack vector for
cyberattacks. According to a report in “MIT Technology Review,” security
vulnerabilities rendered over 3 billion chips in systems of all types
open to data theft via the exploitation of their firmware1.
Unsecured firmware also exposes OEMs to the financial and brand
reputation risks associated with device hijacking (for use in DDoS
attacks) and device tampering or destruction. Failure to address these
risks can negatively impact a company’s reputation and financial
performance.
According to Patrick Moorhead, president and founder of Moor Insights &
Strategy, “Compromised firmware is particularly insidious as it not only
leaves user data vulnerable, but can also make systems permanently
inoperable, disrupting the user experience and exposing OEMs to
liability. FPGAs provide a compelling hardware platform choice for
securing system firmware as they’re able to perform multiple functions
in parallel, making them much faster at identifying and responding to
unauthorized firmware when detected.”
When used to implement system control functions, MachXO3 FPGA devices
are typically the “first-on/last-off” component on circuit boards. By
integrating security and system control functions, the MachXO3D becomes
the first link in a chain of trust that protects entire systems.
With MachXO3D, Lattice is enhancing the device configuration and
programming steps in the manufacturing process. These enhancements, in
combination with MachXO3D’s security features, protect systems by
securing communication between the MachXO3D and legitimate firmware
providers. This protection stays in effect throughout the component’s
entire lifecycle, including system manufacture, transit, installation,
operation and decommissioning. According
to Symantec, there was a 78 percent increase in supply chain-related
attacks between 2017 and 20182.
“System developers commonly take advantage of FPGA flexibility to
enhance system functions after deployment,” said Gordon Hands, Director
of Solutions Marketing, Lattice Semiconductor. “With MachXO3D, we took
care to retain that flexibility while adding a secure configuration
block to deliver the industry’s first control-oriented FPGA compliant
with NIST’s
Platform Firmware Resilience specification.”
Key features of the new MachXO3D include:
-
Control function FPGA that provides 4K and 9K look-up tables for
implementing logic that instantly configures at power up from on
device flash memory - On-device regulator for single 2.5/3.3-volt power supply operation
-
Support for up to 2700 Kbits of user Flash memory and up to 430 Kbits
sysMEM™ embedded block RAM to provide more flexible design options -
Up to 383 I/Os, configurable to support LVCMOS 3.3 to 1.0, and
designed to integrate into a wide variety of system environments with
features such as hot-socketing, default pull-down, input hysteresis,
and programmable slew rate -
Embedded security block that provides pre-verified hardware support
for cryptographic functions such as ECC, AES, SHA, PKC and Unique
Secure ID -
Embedded secure configuration engine to ensure only FPGA
configurations from a trusted source can be installed -
Dual on-device configuration memories to enable fail-safe
reprogramming of component firmware in the event of compromise
Samples are available. For more information about MachXO3D, please visit http://www.latticesemi.com/MachXO3D.
About Lattice Semiconductor
Lattice Semiconductor (NASDAQ: LSCC) is the low power programmable
leader. We solve customer problems across the network, from the Edge to
the Cloud, in the growing communications, computing, industrial,
automotive and consumer markets. Our technology, long-standing
relationships, and commitment to world-class support lets our customers
quickly and easily unleash their innovation to create a smart, secure
and connected world.
For more information about Lattice, please visit www.latticesemi.com.
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Lattice Semiconductor Corporation, Lattice Semiconductor (& design) and
specific product designations are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Lattice Semiconductor Corporation or its subsidiaries in
the United States and/or other countries. The use of the word “partner”
does not imply a legal partnership between Lattice and any other entity.
GENERAL NOTICE: Other product names used in this publication are
for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their
respective holders.
1 Giles, M. (2018, Jan. 5). At Least 3 Billion Computer Chips
Have Spectre Security Hole, MIT Technology Review. Retrieved from https://www.technologyreview.com/s/609891/at-least-3-billion-computer-chips-have-the-spectre-security-hole/
2 Symantec. (2018, February). ISTR: Internet Security
Threat Report. Retrieved from https://www.symantec.com/security-center/threat-report?om_ext_cid=biz_vnty_istr-24_multi_v10195
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190520005138/en/