Security & Authentication ICs

About Security & Authentication ICs

Security and authentication ICs protect devices, data and system identities by providing hardware-based cryptographic and trust functions. They are used in embedded systems, industrial equipment, connected devices, accessories, consumables, payment terminals, automotive electronics and networked products. Devices may support secure key storage, challenge-response authentication, digital signatures, encryption, secure boot, random-number generation and protected device provisioning.

Select a security or authentication IC by checking the required cryptographic algorithms, key sizes, certificate support, secure-storage capacity and authentication protocol. Confirm the host interface, supply voltage, package, provisioning method and whether keys are factory programmed, customer programmed or generated internally. Review tamper resistance, random-number generation, lifecycle management, firmware-library support, operating-temperature range and qualification. For replacements, verify protocol, memory map, personalization data and key-management compatibility because devices with similar packages may not be interchangeable after provisioning.