Beacons are hardware transmitters that broadcast their identifier via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to smartphones in close proximity. Once opted in with a mobile app, consumers can use beacons strategically placed throughout a brick-and-mortar store to receive product recommendations and coupons, view purchase history, display the precise location of items on store shelves and even listen to product descriptions.
Rambus renews DPA countermeasures license with Thales e-Security
Rambus has renewed its Differential Power Analysis (DPA) countermeasures license agreement with Thales e-Security. Under the new five-year agreement, the Thales line of hardware security modules (HSMs) will be protected against side-channel attacks in a variety of systems, including high-performance data center appliances.
The digital evolution of the retail experience
Craig Guillot of Samsung’s Insights recently noted that millennial shopping habits have prompted retailers to adapt with the creation of more personalized, seamless experiences fueled by technology. Indeed, over 85 percent of U.S. millennials own a smartphone and are increasingly using their devices to browse and research products, order online, pick up in-store and pay at the point-of-sale with mobile wallets.
Rambus Renews License Agreement with Thales
DPA countermeasures safeguard hardware security modules against side-channel attacks
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – December 13, 2016 – Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS) today announced it has renewed its DPA countermeasures license agreement with Thales e-Security. Under this new five-year agreement, the Thales line of hardware security modules (HSMs) will be protected against side-channel attacks in a variety of systems, including high-performance data center appliances. Specific terms of the agreement are confidential.
“Cyber-threats and attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and pervasive. Thales products are designed to help organizations stay ahead of the security game by protecting sensitive information from compromise,” said Cindy Provin, chief strategy and marketing officer at Thales e-Security. “By adding Rambus DPA countermeasures, we are able to protect against side-channel attacks, which adds an important element in our robust data security solutions.”
DPA countermeasures, developed by Rambus Cryptography Research, consist of a broad range of software, hardware and protocol techniques that protect devices from side-channel attacks. DPA is a type of side-channel attack that monitors variations in the electrical power consumption or electro-magnetic emissions from a target device. These measurements can then be used to obtain cryptographic keys and other sensitive information from semiconductors.
“Thales recognizes the various threats posed by side-channel attacks and has developed solutions that help their customers in businesses, governments, and technology sectors mitigate the growing risk associated with these types of attacks,” said Dr. Martin Scott, senior vice president and general manager of the Security Division at Rambus. “Strong countermeasures against these attacks provide the security needed to protect sensitive data and make sure attacks are thwarted.”
DPA countermeasures are implemented in tamper-resistant products used in applications for aerospace and defense, secure communications, automotive, mobile, and content protection among others. For additional information on DPA Countermeasures, visit rambus.com/security/dpa-countermeasures/.
Our planes are now ‘big flying mobile devices’ and top hacking targets
A rapid increase in the power and scale of cyberattacks has affected industries worldwide and the aviation sector is no exception.
We’ve begun to skim the top of what a successful cyberattack against a player in the aviation industry can achieve. In 2015, for example, LOT was forced to cancel 10 flights and delay over a dozen after a successful cyberattack was launched against the Polish airline’s ground systems.
We’ve also seen passport control systems disrupted at Istanbul’s Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen airports and earlier this year, cyberattackers were able to hijack flight information screens and sound systems inside Vietnam’s Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports to display their own political messages.
FPGAs are shaping the computing platforms of the future
Steven Woo, VP of Systems and Solutions at Rambus, recently penned an article for Semiconductor Engineering about how FPGAs are helping to shape the computing platforms of the future.
As Woo notes, Moore’s Law, which helped fuel a relentless progression in computing performance, has been an important semiconductor industry mainstay for decades. However, Moore’s Law is waning, with an end on the horizon due to a combination of physical limitations and economic factors.
