Broadcom secures its STB ICs from DPA attacks

Date: 03/03/2013
Broadcom has licensed Cryptography Research (CRI) differential power analysis (DPA) technology to secure its set-top box (STB) IC chips.

"Building on the licensing agreement announced last year, we are pleased to introduce the implementation and availability of our technology with Broadcom," said Paul Kocher, Cryptography Research President and Chief Scientist. "Broadcom is the first set-top box SoC manufacturer to deliver DPA countermeasure technology with leading and widely deployed solutions around the world. Its emphasis and leadership in security is a big win for broadcasters and consumers, and will play a key role in protecting pay-TV ecosystems and bringing high-quality premium content to any screen in the home."

Differential power analysis (DPA) attacks extract secret keys by analyzing measurements in the power consumption of a target device
Strong countermeasures to DPA are important for securing pay television systems, mobile devices, bank cards, secure identity products, secure storage media, anti-tamper products, and other electronic systems and components.

"Broadcom is committed to enabling secure pay-TV environments worldwide," said Dan Marotta, Broadcom Executive Vice President and General Manager, Broadband Communications Group. "By licensing and integrating Cryptography Research's DPA countermeasures, Broadcom ensures its customers are protected as even further content security requirements emerge. This enables our customers to design and deploy new ways to enjoy premium content and interact with their television."

DPA countermeasure technology is available now across all Broadcom's IP, satellite and cable set-top box platforms, including Broadcom's BCM7231 set-top box SoC.