Partnering with NXP, NTRU offers the Software Security Library product family. It is one of the first software-based encryption solutions specifically optimized for general-purpose ARM7 microcontrollers. Embedded designers today desire sophisticated encryption for even low-cost applications that may be carrying or transmitting sensitive information, which makes the NXP partnership unique.

Microcontrollers with software encryption can be used in various applications including credit card readers, entry access systems, sensor networks, and many others. The software encryption-based technology minimizes costs and will allow customers to upgrade the microcontroller security in an installed application, in order to provide countermeasures against possible attacks.

Benefits

Key security benefits achieved via an implementation of software encryption schemes are:

• Confidentiality - allows the sender and receiver to be sure that the information being shared only in the way they intend
• Authentication - allows the receiver of the information to be certain where it came from
• Integrity - allows the receiver to verify that the message has not been altered in transit

NXP's ARM-based microcontrollers feature In Application Programming (IAP) which gives customers the option of upgrading their security algorithm in the field, regardless of whether the product has been comprised. The popular LPC2300 and LPC2400 MCU series feature many communication peripherals, including Ethernet, CAN and USB, providing customers the flexibility to upgrade their security algorithms in installed applications. Targeted to automotive, consumer, financial, medical and industrial end-equipment designers, software encryption provides the benefits of speed, flexibility and lower cost over time.

NTRU's software security libraries for NXP's ARM technology-based microcontrollers provide the customer tools including encryption and decryption of messages, digital signatures, and utilities protocols like key negotiation. Core features include confidentiality, which allows the sender and receiver to be sure that the information is being shared only in the way they intend; authentication, which allows the receiver of the information to be certain where it came from; and integrity, which allows the receiver to verify that the message has not been altered in transit.

Specific functionality will include encryption, decryption, random number generation, digital signatures and other utilities protocols to achieve benefits such as confidentiality, authentication, integrity and non-repudiation. The algorithms include Hash algorithms (SHA-1, MD5 and X9.82 RNG), Symmetric-key encryption/decryption (AES, Triple-DES) and Asymmetric-key encryption/decryption (RSA, DSA, Diffie-Hellman).

For more information on NXP:
http://www.standardics.nxp.com/microcontrollers/

Press Release:
http://www.standardics.nxp.com/news/ntru/