STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and a leader in digital security, has introduced KERKEY™: an advanced security module that prevents malicious attacks on smart-grid gateways, concentrators, and smart meters. While meeting very high industry-security standards, KERKEY can be personalized to meet individual customer requirements.
In creating KERKEY, ST is building on its successful track record in e-government, transportation, banking, and consumer sectors, with over 1 billionsecure elements supplied for numerous embedded-security projects worldwide. Leveraging the robust architecture of ST’s secure-processor family, KERKEY delivers the benefits of a proven hardware foundation that satisfies CC EAL6+ Penetration Testing for smart-card ICs and FIPS-140 Penetration Testing for Multiple-Chip Cryptographic Modules.
Certified to Common Criteria (CC) EAL4+ and AVA-VAN level 5, as well as fulfilling the BSI Protection Profile for smart-grid security modules, KERKEY is the first device of its type to support the Java Card operating system (JC2.2). This allows efficient implementation of cryptographic services using a Java applet, and enhances flexibility to differentiate features at the application level. KERKEY is delivered as a ready-to-use security module that requires only a small amount of final configuration.
“Governments and utilities have identified a secure and trusted smart grid as essential for satisfying greater demand for electricity while increasing reliance on greener energy sources such as wind and solar,” said Marie-France Florentin, Group Vice President and General Manager of the Secure Microcontroller Division, STMicroelectronics. “KERKEY allows equipment producers to meet the highest security standards cost-effectively using a single chip that offers unparalleled flexibility to customize and differentiate their applications.”
Samples of ST’s KERKEY secure element for smart-grid security modules are available now, in the QFN32 package with ISO-7816 and I2C interfaces.
