Rambus

At Rambus, we create cutting-edge semiconductor and IP products, spanning memory and interfaces to security, smart sensors and lighting.

Home > Press Releases > Security > CryptoFirewall Cores

CryptoFirewall Cores

MStar, Intertrust and Rambus to Showcase an Integrated, End-to-end Security Solution for 4K UHD TVs at IBC 2015

Joint solution delivers industry leading hardware-based security for connected TVs

AMSTERDAM and SUNNYVALE, Calif. —September 9, 2015 — MStar Semiconductor, Inc., a leading provider of display and digital home solutions, today announced it has started production of a secure chipset for connected TVs that integrates the Rambus Cryptography Research CryptoFirewall™ security core with Intertrust’s ExpressPlay™ cloud service for Digital Rights Management (DRM). The new chipset – the MStar G6F – is designed to meet consumer demand for easy access to 4K UHD programs while also providing unparalleled security for content owners.

The G6F is designed to integrate easily into 4K smart TVs and supports a full function HEVC decoder, multi-region demodulator, and motion judder cancellation with MStar’s proprietary MACE –Pro3UC /MFC technology.

“By integrating the CryptoFirewall core into MStar’s security hardware, the G6F chip meets MovieLabs’ Hardware Root of Trust guidelines,” said Wayne Tsai, marketing director of MStar. “In addition, the seamless integration with ExpressPlay accelerates our time-to-market. We are very proud that MStar is contributing to the 4K UHD content delivery ecosystem.”

The CryptoFirewall core provides a secure, hardware-based foundation that delivers unprecedented security to connected TVs. This allows content distributors, including over-the-top (OTT) operators, to deliver 4K UHD premium programming, while satisfying the security requirements of studios and other content owners.

“By working with our partners Intertrust and MStar, content distributors can now deploy an end-to-end security solution for TVs,” said Paul Kocher, president and chief scientist of the Rambus Cryptography Research division. “The CryptoFirewall security core helps realize the full potential of OTT content, giving consumers the ability to get access to early release and premium 4K UHD programming directly on their TVs.”

In addition to hardware protection, the MStar connected TV chipset includes ExpressPlay, an end-to-end security service that provides a ready-to-go Marlin DRM system to manage content protection. Marlin DRM is a simple, open and elegant DRM that supports many video formats including MPEG-DASH HLS, and MP4.

“By collaborating with MStar and Cryptography Research, we have been able to deliver a solution that provides a hardware root-of-trust on an SoC platform to deliver post-activation capability for all devices in the field,” said David Maher, Executive VP and CTO, Intertrust Technologies. “By making the DRM system carry unique hardware-protected, super-encrypted content keys, we can ensure that content keys are only accessible within the CryptoFirewall core and security hardware of the chip.”

Product Availability

The production of 4K UHD TVs, including the MStar G6F, is expected to start in Q4 2015.

Follow Rambus

Company website: rambus.com
Rambus blog: rambusblog.com
Twitter: @rambusinc
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/rambus
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RambusInc

About Rambus Inc.

Rambus creates cutting-edge semiconductor and IP products, spanning memory and interfaces to security, smart sensors and lighting. Our chips, customizable IP cores, architecture licenses, tools, services, training and innovations improve the competitive advantage of our customers. We collaborate with the industry, partnering with leading ASIC and SoC designers, foundries, IP developers, EDA companies and validation labs. Our products are integrated into tens of billions of devices and systems, powering and securing diverse applications, including Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, consumer and media platforms. At Rambus, we are makers of better. For more information, visit rambus.com.

About MStar Semiconductor, Inc.

MStar Semiconductor, Inc. is a world-class leader in Application Specific ICs with a focus on consumer electronic products and communication applications. Since the inception in 2002, MStar has established a strong brand and leadership position in LCD controller, analog and digital TV, and set-top box by fully leveraging its core expertise of cutting-edge design capabilities, continuous innovation and premier customer-focused services. Headquartered in Taiwan, MStar has a comprehensive global footprint of international R&D and customer support centers to provide a full range of total solutions for various consumer electronic applications. For more information, please visit mstarsemi.com.

About Intertrust Technologies

Intertrust invents, develops, and delivers technologies for trusted computing among leading global corporations from mobile and CE manufacturers and service providers, to enterprise software platform companies. Intertrust and its subsidiaries are also developing new trust services for vertical markets related to consumer privacy, Internet processing of DNA data, and smart grids. Intertrust also actively creates and invests in ventures that extend its market vision. Current and former portfolio companies include Personagraph, Kabuto, whiteCryption, SyncTV, Nest Labs, Kiora, and Planet OS.

Founded in 1990 on a revolutionary vision to bring trust to operating systems and open networks, Intertrust is based in Silicon Valley, with regional offices in London and Beijing. The Company has a legacy of invention, and its fundamental contributions in the areas of computer security and digital trust are globally recognized. Intertrust holds hundreds of patents that are key to Internet security, trust, and privacy management components of operating systems, trusted mobile code and networked operating environments, web services, and cloud computing. Additional information is available at intertrust.com. Follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Intertrust Technologies Integrates CryptoFirewall Cores from Rambus Cryptography Research Division

CryptoFirewall™ core enhances ExpressPlay™ and gives content providers access to higher levels of security

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — April 09, 2015 — Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS) today announced that Intertrust® Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of trusted computing technologies, will integrate its CryptoFirewall™ advanced hardware security cores with ExpressPlay™ cloud service. This integration enables Intertrust to provide content distributors with an unprecedented level of hardware security in compatible consumer devices. Smart 4K UHD TVs are the first target devices for this integrated security solution.”

“Security risks are pervasive, so it’s important to have an extremely robust and highly flexible security solution to protect digital rights,” said Talal Shamoon, CEO at Intertrust Technologies. “The technologies developed by the Cryptography Research team have an excellent reputation for securing content, and the CryptoFirewall core complements and reinforces our full range of cloud-based security solutions.”

“As a leading digital TV software-based solution, Intertrust’s ExpressPlay is providing an important layer of the overall security platform,” said Paul Kocher, president and chief scientist of the Rambus Cryptography Research division. “By integrating our hardware cores with Marlin DRM, this solution can provide a robust, flexible, and cost-effective foundation to more effectively protect content and services from theft.”

The CryptoFirewall core, developed by Cryptography Research, is a self-contained ASIC security core that provides an ultra-secure hardware key engine for content protection applications. The core is integrated directly into leading SoCs used in TVs, set-top boxes, and other devices, and provides ‘smart card within a chip’ level end-point security. The core is designed to protect cryptographic keys and computations within a chip even if surrounding components are compromised.

The CryptoFirewall core complements Marlin DRM and helps content distributors meet MovieLab’s Enhanced Content Protection specifications for hardware root of trust. Intertrust jointly developed the specifications for the open standard Marlin DRM system for consumer devices and services with Samsung, Sony, Panasonic and Philips. Marlin offers sophisticated copyright management for playing media content distributed over mobile, broadband, broadcast and other distribution channels. Marlin seamlessly ports licensed content across devices and services in a consumer’s home or personal domain and supports a large and flexible set of business models for content distribution. Marlin is deployed worldwide and is currently one of the fastest growing DRM technology in China.

Intertrust also operates ExpressPlay, a highly scalable cloud service for content protection. The ExpressPlay service provides a complete, ready-to-go Marlin DRM system with a cloud service to easily manage content protection usage, and tools to integrate Marlin into devices and distribution platforms. ExpressPlay DRM supports many video formats including MPEG-DASH HLS, Smooth, and MP4. These standards are important for reducing the cost of video distribution and work with an increasing number of smart TV devices running apps that combine broadcast TV content with the best of Internet content. Intertrust operates ExpressPlay services in China and worldwide.

Follow Rambus
Company website: rambus.com
Rambus blog: rambusblog.com
Twitter: @rambusinc
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/rambus
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RambusInc

About Cryptography Research
The Rambus Cryptography Research division specializes in embedded security solutions. Our innovative technologies include tamper resistance, content protection, network security, payment and transaction services. Eight billion security products are made annually with our security technology, and systems designed by our scientists and engineers protect hundreds of billions of dollars in revenues every year. Additional information is available at cryptography.com.

About Intertrust Technologies Corporation
Intertrust invents, develops, and delivers technologies for trusted computing among leading global corporations from mobile and CE manufacturers and service providers, to enterprise software platform companies. Intertrust and its subsidiaries are also developing new trust services for vertical markets related to consumer privacy, Internet processing of DNA data, and smart grids. Intertrust also actively creates and invests in ventures that extend its market vision. Current and former portfolio companies include Personagraph, Kabuto, whiteCryption, SyncTV, Nest Labs, Kiora, and Planet OS.

Founded in 1990 on a revolutionary vision to bring trust to operating systems and open networks, Intertrust is based in Silicon Valley, with regional offices in London and Beijing. The Company has a legacy of invention, and its fundamental contributions in the areas of computer security and digital trust are globally recognized. Intertrust holds hundreds of patents that are key to Internet security, trust, and privacy management components of operating systems, trusted mobile code and networked operating environments, web services, and cloud computing. Additional information is available at intertrust.com, or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as amended, including statements regarding the expected integration of CryptoFirewall™ advanced hardware security cores with ExpressPlay™ cloud service. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections that are subject to change. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Rambus’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and Rambus does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements based on new developments or changes in expectations.

MStar to Include Cryptography Research’s CryptoFirewall Security Core in Connected TV Chips

Enables first IP core-based, advanced security for smart TV market; fully compatible with existing CAS and DRM, providing most stringent security for premium content

San Francisco, Calif. and Hsinchu, Taiwan — August 28, 2014 —Cryptography Research, the security division of Rambus (NASDAQ:RMBS), today announced that MStar Semiconductor, Inc., a leading semiconductor company for display and digital home solutions, has licensed the Cryptography Research CryptoFirewall™ security core for integration into its connected TV solution chips. The CryptoFirewall core will provide operators and over-the-top (OTT) distributors utilizing MStar-based connected TVs with strong hardware security to protect content and services against piracy.

The proliferation of OTT content, along with the market opportunity for “smart” connected televisions, has created a need for security solutions that not only offer robust protection on par with set-top-boxes, but also work across broad ecosystems. Through adding in the CryptoFirewall core, MStar is taking a differentiated approach by integrating a provider-agnostic security block that resides within the SoC, available for all service providers. Operators and OTT distributors can benefit from hardware-based security that satisfies the most stringent requirements for premium content, all while continuing to use their existing CAS and DRM systems.

“Increasingly, consumers want the convenience of viewing all their preferred content from their connected TV. To enable this flexibility, connected TVs must work with multiple operators and OTT distributors using different CAS and DRM systems. The CryptoFirewall security core supports this complex requirement in a unique and innovative way,” said Wayne Tsai, Marketing Director, MStar. “The CryptoFirewall security core delivers both strong hardware security and multi-operator flexibility in our next-generation chips and seamlessly integrates with MStar’s TEE environment.”

“With its proven history of delivering end-to-end semiconductor solutions for TV and impressive market share, MStar will be able to revolutionize security in the connected TV market,” said Paul Kocher, president and chief scientist of the Rambus Cryptography Research division. “The CryptoFirewall IP core solution helps connected TVs achieve a similar level of content protection as set-top boxes, while limiting the service providers’ internal engineering and integration costs. These advancements in connected TV security are critical to realizing the full potential of OTT content; securely and seamlessly enabling consumers to receive content from a wide range of sources directly on their TVs.”

The CryptoFirewall core is a self-contained ASIC security core that provides a secure hardware foundation for signal security applications. The CryptoFirewall cores enable a uniformly high level of security across set-top-boxes and connected TVs, enabling the next wave of secure digital distribution. The core is designed to protect cryptographic keys and computations within a chip, even if surrounding components are compromised. The CryptoFirewall core is easily integrated directly into video decoding SoCs from the leading manufacturers supplying the set-top box chip market and now, with MStar, the leading TV silicon provider. The CryptoFirewall core provides a robust and cost-effective solution that is complementary with hardware and software-based conditional access solutions, protecting against piracy of content and services.

For additional information on CryptoFirewall technology or on Cryptography Research visit cryptography.com.

About MStar Semiconductor, Inc.

MStar Semiconductor, Inc. (“MStar”) is a world-class leader in Application Specific ICs (“ASIC”) with a focus on consumer electronic products and communication applications. Since the inception in 2002, MStar has established a strong brand and leadership position in LCD controller, analog and digital TV and set-top box by fully leveraging its core expertise of cutting-edge design capabilities, continuous innovation and premier customer-focused services. Headquartered in Taiwan, MStar has a comprehensive global footprint of international R&D and customer support centers to provide a full range of total solutions for various consumer electronic applications. For more information, please visit www.mstarsemi.com.

About Cryptography Research, Inc.

Cryptography Research, Inc. (CRI), a division of Rambus Inc., is a leader in semiconductor security research and development. Established by internationally renowned cryptographer Paul Kocher, CRI develops and licenses innovative technologies in areas including tamper resistance, content protection, anti-counterfeiting, network security, and financial services. Over seven billion security products are made each year under license from CRI. Security systems designed by CRI scientists and engineers protect hundreds of billions of dollars in commerce annually. Additional information is available at: cryptography.com.

Entropic Completes Integration of Cryptography Research CryptoFirewall Security Cores

CryptoFirewall™ cores now available in Entropic set-top box system-on-chips to help secure digital content

SAN DIEGO and SAN FRANCISCO, CA – January 8, 2013 — Entropic (NASDAQ: ENTR), a world leader in semiconductor solutions for the connected home and Cryptography Research, Inc. (CRI), a division of Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS), today announced Entropic has completed the integration of the Cryptography Research CryptoFirewall security core technology into its advanced line of multimedia set-top box (STB) system-on-a-chip (SoC) products. By incorporating CRI’s technology into its SoCs, Entropic can help ensure its products protect against signal theft and content piracy.

Entropic’s ARM®-based advanced STB SoC solutions are designed for hybrid broadcast/IP pay TV networks to provide security, best-in-class integration, features, and ecosystem support required by leading global pay TV operators. By natively embedding the CryptoFirewall core into its silicon hardware, Entropic adds a hardened security implementation with silicon-based key management, a private bus for key delivery, and extra logic for specific conditional access and digital rights management (DRM) systems.

“Entropic is committed to enabling the secure distribution of premium programming via cable, satellite, broadband, IPTV, and OTT platforms,” said Roger Gregory, vice president, Marketing at Entropic. “By working with the engineering team at Cryptography Research, we were able to design and integrate the CryptoFirewall security cores into our advanced security architecture for a higher level of content protection.”

The CryptoFirewall core is a self-contained ASIC security core which provides a secure hardware foundation for signal security applications. The core is designed to protect cryptographic keys and computations within a chip even if surrounding components are compromised. The CryptoFirewall core is integrated directly into video decoding SoCs. It provides a robust and cost-effective solution that is complementary with hardware and software-based conditional access solutions, protecting against piracy of content and services.

“Entropic has taken an important step in integrating our CryptoFirewall core into its multimedia STB chipsets,” said Benjamin Jun, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Cryptography Research. “Through the implementation of a secure hardware core, Entropic has illustrated its responsiveness to the evolving security requirements of the pay TV industry.”

Availability

Entropic SoC products embedded with the CRI CryptoFirewall technology include the advanced single-core STB SoC family, EN753x/EN754x/EN755x, and the powerful dual-core STB SoC line, EN757x/EN758x.

For additional information on CryptoFirewall technology or on Cryptography Research visit cryptography.com.

About Cryptography Research, Inc.

Cryptography Research, Inc. (CRI), a division of Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS), is a leader in semiconductor security research and development. Established by internationally renowned cryptographer Paul Kocher, CRI develops and licenses innovative technologies in areas including tamper resistance, content protection, anti-counterfeiting, network security, and financial services. Over seven billion security products are made each year under license from CRI. Security systems designed by CRI scientists and engineers protect hundreds of billions of dollars in commerce annually. Additional information is available at cryptography.com.

About Entropic

Entropic™ (Nasdaq: ENTR) is a world leader in semiconductor solutions for the connected home. The Company transforms how traditional HDTV broadcast and IP-based streaming video content is seamlessly, reliably, and securely delivered, processed, and distributed into and throughout the home. Entropic’s next-generation Set-top Box (STB) System-on-a-Chip (SoC) and Connectivity solutions enable Pay-TV operators to offer consumers more captivating whole-home entertainment experiences by transforming the way digital entertainment is delivered, connected and consumed – in the home and on the go. For more information, visit Entropic at: www.entropic.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Entropic’s SoC technologies, its related prospects and its role in the future of connected home entertainment. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause Entropic’s actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, competition, risks associated with Entropic dependence on a limited number of customers and suppliers, technology risks, the risk that the market for HD video and multimedia content delivery solutions may not develop as Entropic anticipates and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Entropic’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 8, 2013. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Entropic is providing this information as of the date of this release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Copyright© 2013 Entropic. All rights reserved. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Marvell Selects Cryptography Research’s CryptoFirewall Anti-Counterfeiting Technology for Use in Consumable Security Chip

CryptoFirewall provides secure authentication and reduces counterfeiting business risks for mass-market consumables and peripherals

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – 02/25/2013 – – Cryptography Research (CRI), a division of Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS), today announced that Marvell has chosen its anti-counterfeiting technology, the CryptoFirewall™ core, for inclusion in the Marvell PA800 Consumable Security chip. The CRI Consumable CryptoFirewall (CCF) technology will be incorporated into the PA800 solution, providing advanced levels of security, authentication and/or secure usage tracking to verify system integrity. The PA800 is a very low-cost, low pin-count chip that enables devices to cryptographically verify both authenticity and usage across their lifecycle.

“CRI is the leader in security solutions across multiple markets. Their CryptoFirewall solution offers our customers the most robust security solution for connected products. Marvell’s PA800 with CryptoFirewall enables customers to authenticate and track usage for consumable parts or accessories with ease and confidence,” said Greg Allen, vice president, Printer Business Unit, Marvell. “Now manufacturers building systems have a cost-effective and secure method to protect the integrity of their systems.”

“Marvell is a global leader in providing complete silicon solutions enabling the digital connected lifestyle. Whenever devices are digitally connected, security becomes a critical need and Marvell clearly understands the need to ensure devices are secure,” said Paul Kocher, president and chief scientist at Cryptography Research. “We are delighted to be working with Marvell to provide customers with effective solutions for protecting their consumable items and peripherals.”

The Cryptography Research CCF solution uses field-proven, integrated anti-tamper security technologies and provides consumers and manufacturers with the assurance of authenticity. CCF technology authenticates devices at risk for counterfeiting through a silicon core that provides cryptographic confirmation of validity. The Verifier CryptoFirewall (VCF)-CCF core authentication on the system side provides the flexibility to implement the solution in either software or hardware on the device System on Chip (SoC).

For additional information on Cryptography Research or on the CryptoFirewall product, visit www.cryptography.com.

About Cryptography Research, Inc.
Cryptography Research, Inc. (CRI), a division of Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBS), is a leader in semiconductor security research and development. Established by internationally renowned cryptographer Paul Kocher, CRI develops and licenses innovative technologies in areas including tamper resistance, content protection, anti-counterfeiting, network security, and financial services. Over seven billion security products are made each year under license from CRI. Security systems designed by CRI scientists and engineers protect hundreds of billions of dollars in commerce annually. Additional information is available at www.cryptography.com.

Cryptography Research Signs License Agreement with EchoStar for CryptoFirewall Security Technology to Combat Piracy

Leading TV Technology Provider to Deploy Tamper-Resistant Security Core

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – 02/26/2013 – Cryptography Research (CRI), a division of Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS), today announced a license agreement with EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS), to adopt the Cryptography Research CryptoFirewall™ security core for use with EchoStar set-top box technologies to protect against TV signal theft.

“We are committed to the strongest and most advanced security solutions, and pleased to be integrating the CryptoFirewall core into our future set-top box platforms,” said Dave Kummer, Chief Technology Officer at EchoStar. “Cryptography Research’s technologies have an excellent reputation for securing content, and the CryptoFirewall core complements and reinforces the technologies utilized by our conditional access partners.”

The CryptoFirewall core is a self-contained ASIC security core that provides a secure hardware foundation for signal security applications. The core is designed to protect cryptographic keys and computations within a chip even if surrounding components are compromised. The CryptoFirewall core is integrated directly into leading video decoding systems-on-a-chip, providing a robust and cost-effective solution that is complementary with hardware and software-based conditional access solutions.

“We are honored that EchoStar has selected the CryptoFirewall core as part of its comprehensive and robust portfolio of security tools to prevent piracy and signal theft,” said Paul Kocher, president and chief scientist at Cryptography Research. “EchoStar continues to deploy strong, proven security technology across the hardware and software level, and this announcement demonstrates their continued commitment to providing a secure distribution channel for high value content.”

For additional information on Cryptography Research or on the CryptoFirewall product, visit www.cryptography.com.

About EchoStar
EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and video delivery solutions. EchoStar’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Hughes, is the world’s leading provider of satellite broadband services, delivering network technologies and managed services for enterprise and government customers in more than 100 countries. Headquartered in Englewood, CO, with additional business units world-wide, EchoStar is a multiple Emmy award-winning company that has pioneered advancements in the set-top box and satellite industries for over 30 years, consistently delivering value for customers, partners and investors through innovation and outstanding quality. Over the last three decades EchoStar’s contribution to video technology has had a major influence on the way consumers view, receive and manage TV programming. EchoStar’s consumer solutions include HughesNet®, North America’s #1 high-speed satellite Internet service, Sling Media’s Slingbox products, and EchoStar’s line of advanced digital video set-top box products for the European free satellite and terrestrial viewer markets.

About Cryptography Research, Inc.
Cryptography Research, Inc. (CRI), a division of Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBS), is a leader in semiconductor security research and development. Established by internationally renowned cryptographer Paul Kocher, CRI develops and licenses innovative technologies in areas including tamper resistance, content protection, anti-counterfeiting, network security, and financial services. Over seven billion security products are made each year under license from CRI. Security systems designed by CRI scientists and engineers protect hundreds of billions of dollars in commerce annually. Additional information is available at www.cryptography.com.