Taiwanese integrated device manufacturer Macronix is offering end-to-end security for provisioning, onboarding and lifetime management of IoT devices following a partnership with UK firm Crypto Quantique.

Crypto Quantique specialises in quantum-driven cyber security for the IoT. Macronix is an integrated device manufacturer in the non-volatile memory (NVM) market. It has added the QuarkLink IoT security management platform to its ArmorFlash ecosystem.

ArmorFlash memory exploits a physical unclonable function (PUF) to create unique, immutable and unclonable identities for the Macronix chips. These unique identities underpin a secure element within ArmorFlash. This is the memory’s root of trust.

Using Crypto Quantique’s QuarkLink, the complexities of cryptography that underpin secure IoT communications are fully automated. A simple, intuitive user interface enables secure onboarding of thousands of IoT devices to their chosen cloud service provider within minutes. No cryptographic expertise is needed to understand the complexities of credential management when connecting to a cloud-based server.

Also, there is no need to develop the complex embedded software that would be needed to manage cryptographic keys and certificates, which could take months of engineering resources.

The QuarkLink platform securely connects the ArmorFlash root of trust to applications and services running on in-house or cloud-based servers. The platform facilitates device provisioning, onboarding and lifetime management, including firmware updates, certificate renewal and device revocation.

“With IoT security becoming a major concern for many of our customers, we wanted to offer designers a complete solution, from chip to cloud,” said Macronix vice president FL Ni. “Partnering with Crypto Quantique enables us to do just that, saving our customers time and expense when they want to create secure IoT networks quickly and at scale using our ArmorFlash memories.”

Shahram Mossayebi, Crypto Quantique’s CEO, added: “Macronix was one of the first memory companies to address security within their devices and has created a robust secure element in ArmorFlash. It perfectly complements QuarkLink’s capabilities and supports our vision of democratising IoT security at scale by making it far easier to implement.”

Crypto Quantique has created what it claims is the world’s most secure end-to-end IoT security platform. At its heart is quantum-driven semiconductor hardware IP, called QDID, that generates multiple, unique, unforgeable cryptographic keys for devices manufactured using standard CMOS processes. The keys do not need to be stored and can be used independently by multiple applications on demand.

When combined with cryptographic APIs from the company’s universal IoT security platform, QuarkLink, it creates a secure bridge between silicon, device, software and services provider.

The company, which is based in London, was co-founded by Mossayebi, an expert in cryptosystems, and Patrick Camilleri, a semiconductor designer with experience in complex parallel computer systems.