Flash Memory Subsystem protects handsets.
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Press Release Summary:
Spansion Flash memory provides security protection from viruses and service thefts on handsets. It safeguards up to 16 zones of memory, and is operating system and chipset independent. SIM lock and remote management render phones useless to thieves if stolen, while also protecting transactions through user authentication and key storage. Other features include system-enabled partitioning of memory, virus recovery, and secure access for downloading content.
Original Press Release:
Spansion Announces Availability of First Flash Memory-Based Security for Handsets
New Spansion Flash memory solutions address growing demands for stronger protection from viruses and attacks on handsets with multimedia content and mobile commerce capabilities
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 5 // -- Spansion Inc. (NASDAQ:SPSN), the world's largest pure-play provider of Flash memory solutions, today announced the availability of the industry's first Flash memory subsystem that provides security protection from viruses, attacks and service thefts on handsets. Addressing the growing wireless requirements for more robust security, these MirrorBit(R) solutions protected by Spansion Secure technology provide the highest level of commercially available protection with hardware-based encryption for mobile handsets. Spansion Secure technology for handsets is part of the company's secure Flash strategy, designed to embed a range of encryption, authentication and other security features inside Spansion Flash memory solutions, enabling protection of valuable consumer data, content and code.
Spansion's landmark approach to mobile security arrives in an era where the handset is evolving to become today's universal utility -- capable of downloading rich digital content and personal, financial and enterprise data over the air. At the same time, operators and financial service providers are looking for tougher security to protect users from the increase in harmful viruses, other malicious attacks and fraud targeting the handset's mobile secrets and continue building customer loyalty for the new data services available.
Traditionally, security in handsets has been handled in software and the baseband processor, which are inherently vulnerable to system attacks. By providing security in the same physical package as the memory, Spansion offers stronger protection when accessing the Flash memory and the valuable data and content stored there. MirrorBit solutions protected by Spansion Secure technology safeguard across multiple zones of memory -- such as separate, secured areas for the user, for the operator, for content rights objects and for the handset manufacturer -- with the potential to assign up to 16 zones. The solution is operating system and chipset independent, enabling handset designers to speed time to market and save on development costs. In addition, it enables direct server-to-memory authentication and secure channel communications similar to a VPN, enabling new business models for the enterprise with remote management of important data distribution.
Spansion plans to showcase the latest features of its new security technology at 3GSM, including:
o Secure Boot -- Protection of handsets with SIM lock and remote
management capabilities that render phones useless to thieves if stolen,
as well as protected transactions through user authentication and
protected key storage.
o Secure Zones -- System-enabled partitioning of memory for protection of
important personal, enterprise and financial data files that are
password-secured.
o Virus Rollback -- Virus recovery capabilities which preserve the
handset operating system as well as functionality and data in the event
that a virus has infected the phone.
o Secure Access -- Downloading content using mobile commerce, such as a
movie, mobile TV, music file, enterprise application or document in a
trusted environment.
"Device theft and fraud are growing issues that require improved solutions to protect important personal and financial information now stored on the mobile device," said Edo Ganot, executive vice president of business development at Discretix. "Spansion Secure Flash solutions are a crucial component of a robust security architecture, greatly increasing the integrity of the handset and enabling consumers to use their handsets with the confidence that their important financial, corporate and personal data is secure."
Availability
The MirrorBit solutions protected by Spansion Secure announced today will be offered to customers in a Spansion Multi Chip Package (MCP). Samples are available now with volume production targeted for the second half of 2007. Depending on the handset configuration, the Spansion MCP would include: Spansion MirrorBit NOR Flash memory, Spansion MirrorBit ORNAND(TM) Flash memory, Spansion 7000C Processor, pSRAM and/or DRAM.
"With handsets becoming personal media libraries, portable offices and digital wallets, the Spansion Secure approach will provide protected data storage and give users the confidence that their handsets are safe for important transactions," said George Minassian, vice president of strategic planning and systems engineering, Wireless Solutions Division, Spansion. "Spansion is delivering on its goal of adding more value through Flash memory solutions for our handset OEM customers and enabling enhanced revenue opportunities for operators and the banking community, by providing the industry's strongest mobile security with protection hardware-based encryption in handsets."
The MirrorBit MCP with Spansion Secure acts as a Trusted Execution Environment enabling domain separation and ensuring that critical data, code and security keys are never exposed. This is made possible with some of the most powerful security algorithms, including the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), a block cipher adopted as an encryption standard by the U.S. government; the Secure Hash Algorithms (SHA), cryptographic hash functions designed by the National Security Agency, including SHA-1 and SHA-2; RSA, an algorithm for public-key encryption; and a digital random number generator.
"By embracing many of the OMTP's current Trusted Environment requirements, Spansion Secure will be providing much of the enhanced security that network operators around the world are asking for," said Tim Raby, Managing Director of the Open Mobile Terminal Platform (OMTP). "By making security an integral part of open mobile phone experience, Spansion is enabling handset manufacturers and network operators to create greater confidence in and wider adoption of data services."
About MirrorBit Technology
Spansion's MirrorBit technology delivers value-added code and data storage solutions for customers across the integrated electronics category. When compared with floating-gate NOR technology, MirrorBit technology offers a simpler memory cell, which requires fewer critical manufacturing steps to produce. Compared to traditional floating gate, MirrorBit technology offers higher yields and scales more easily to higher densities. Spansion recently announced its MirrorBit Quad technology, the world's first four-bit-per-cell Flash memory, with plans for a variety of different interfaces and capabilities that will expand Flash memory storage capabilities.
About Spansion
Spansion is a leading Flash memory solutions provider, dedicated to enabling, storing and protecting digital content in wireless, automotive, networking and consumer electronics applications. Spansion, previously a joint venture of AMD and Fujitsu, is the largest company in the world dedicated exclusively to designing, developing, manufacturing, marketing and selling Flash memory solutions. For more information, visit http://www.spansion.com/.
Spansion, the Spansion logo, MirrorBit, ORNAND and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Spansion LLC. Spansion, the Spansion Logo and MirrorBit are registered in the US and other countries. Other names used are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Source: Spansion Inc.
Web site: http://www.spansion.com/
