IoT Security Boosted: CommScope and STMicroelectronics Unveil Integrated Solution

IoT Security Boosted: CommScope and STMicroelectronics Unveil Integrated Solution

(IN BRIEF) CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM), a global leader in network connectivity, and STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a leading semiconductor company catering to a wide range of electronics applications, have jointly announced the integration of CommScope’s PKIWorks™ IoT security platform with ST’s widely-used STM32WB microcontroller unit (MCU). This integration provides device manufacturers with a seamless solution for developing IoT devices that adhere to the Connectivity Standards Alliance Matter standard for security. By simplifying secure Matter-device-credentials development and provisioning, this collaborative solution not only reduces costs but also accelerates the IoT device manufacturing process. Devices can now be commissioned at the MCU level without requiring developer intervention. This collaboration leverages CommScope’s extensive experience in securely integrating cryptographic keys and digital certificates into high-volume manufacturing production, combined with ST’s leadership in microcontrollers and development ecosystem.

(PRESS RELEASE) GENEVA, 6-Nov-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — STMicroelectronics N.V. (Euronext: STM, NYSE: STM, BIT: STM), the largest European semiconductor contract manufacturing and design company, announces that it has partnered with CommScope, a globally renowned network connectivity solutions provider, to introduce an innovative integration. This collaboration brings together CommScope’s advanced PKIWorks™ IoT security platform and ST’s popular STM32WB microcontroller unit (MCU), offering a comprehensive solution for IoT device development that aligns with the Connectivity Standards Alliance Matter standard for enhanced security.

This integrated solution streamlines the process of manufacturing secure Matter-device credentials, reducing both costs and time for IoT device manufacturers. One significant advantage of this partnership is that devices can now be commissioned at the MCU level, eliminating the need for developer intervention. The collaboration draws on CommScope Sentry™ team’s 35 years of experience in securely integrating cryptographic keys and digital certificates into high-volume manufacturing production, complemented by ST’s renowned expertise in microcontrollers and its robust development ecosystem.

By combining the strengths of these two industry leaders, this integration aims to facilitate the creation of IoT devices that adhere to the highest security standards. This development not only simplifies the manufacturing process but also contributes to the growth and adoption of IoT technology across various industries, ensuring the security and integrity of connected devices.

The CommScope and STMicroelectronics partnership marks a significant step forward in providing IoT device manufacturers with a reliable, turnkey solution for security compliance. As the IoT ecosystem continues to expand, the need for robust security measures becomes paramount, and this collaboration addresses this critical aspect, enabling manufacturers to meet the stringent security requirements of the Connectivity Standards Alliance Matter standard.

In conclusion, the integration of CommScope’s PKIWorks™ IoT security platform with ST’s STM32WB MCU presents a compelling opportunity for IoT device manufacturers to expedite their development processes while maintaining the highest security standards. This collaboration demonstrates a commitment to advancing IoT technology with enhanced security, ultimately benefiting industries and consumers alike.

“As a CSA promoter, ST is committed to making Matter development seamless for all device makers,” said Nathalie Vallespin, STM32 Connectivity product line manager, STMicroelectronics. “Our #1 ranking for general-purpose microcontrollers and expertise in secure elements positions us to combine our deep understanding of device-makers’ challenges and strong knowledge of Matter to create unique collaborations like this one with CommScope. This will accelerate the adoption of Matter development through an easy and secure process for credential provisioning.”

“By integrating the CommScope Sentry PKIWorks platform with ST’s popular MCU platform, we’re offering our customers a turnkey solution to alleviate the challenges of Matter adoption, while handling the complexity, scale, and cost,” stated Bart Giordano, president, Networking, Intelligent Cellular and Security Solutions, CommScope. “CommScope and ST have a long-standing collaborative relationship, making it easy to meet growing demand for new Matter IoT devices with the expertise of two industry leaders with decades of experience at the forefront of digital security, semiconductor solutions, and device manufacturing.”

About PKIWorks, STM32WB and Matter
The PKIWorks platform is a secure and flexible credential provisioning and management platform, refined over decades of experience and billions of device credentials. It is now optimized for creating and delivering Matter device credentials — providing a fast track for manufacturers of all IoT devices to provide security and interoperability with the burgeoning Matter ecosystem. The PKIWorks platform leverages CommScope’s expertise in provisioning clients for device credential installation, particularly on resource-constrained IoT devices. These clients enable the support of a wide range of STM32 MCUs and STSAFE-A. CommScope recently integrated this lightweight provisioning client with the STM32WB55, an MCU for IoT device development and ST’s microcontroller of choice for Matter devices. Matter is the new unifying smart home standard for interoperability and security among smart home devices.  Announced in October 2022, the specifications and certification programs are the result of a collaboration involving more than 600 technology companies under the auspices of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). Matter makes smart home devices interoperable while improving and standardizing security across suppliers and IoT ecosystems and offers consumers a seal of approval that says smart devices work reliably together and are secure.

Key PKIWorks Features

• The PKIWorks platform can generate over 30 billion device credentials annually and is designed to scale to even greater capacity, providing a solid foundation for future expansion.
• The platform generates Matter device credentials for a wide spectrum of IoT manufacturers and service providers, using the CSA-approved Root of Trust and the CommScope Product Attestation Authority (PAA).

• The PKIWorks Provisioning Client can install various types of device credentials to STM32 and STSAFE-A —including the STM32WB55 microcontroller designed specifically for Matter devices.
• The STM32WB55 Matter SDK integration enables Matter Commissioning without the need for additional integration effort from device makers.
• PKIWorks solutions encompass both factory settings and over-the-air provisioning, providing Device Attestation Credentials (DACs) and Node Operational Credentials (NOCs) to support the security lifecycle of Matter devices.

PKIWorks services are available to device manufacturers designing with the STM32 and STSAFE-A. CommScope is a member of the ST Authorized Partner program, and CommScope’s Sentry offers integrated solutions that dramatically simplifies product development by streamlining device credential provisioning in manufacturing, accelerating time-to-market. The STM32WB with the PKIWorks client is available now and is also offered in multiple configurations to meet the diverse manufacturing environments of IoT device providers.

For more information, visit https://www.commscopesentry.com/

CommScope and the CommScope logo are registered trademarks of CommScope and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. For additional trademark information see https://www.commscope.com/trademarks. Matter is a trademark of the Connectivity Standards Alliance. All other product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

About CommScope
CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) is pushing the boundaries of technology to create the world’s most advanced wired and wireless networks. Our global team of employees, innovators and technologists empower customers to anticipate what’s next and invent what’s possible. Discover more at www.commscope.com.

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About STMicroelectronics
At ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of the Internet of Things and connectivity. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

This press release includes forward-looking statements that are based on information currently available to management, management’s beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those currently expected. In providing forward-looking statements, the company does not intend, and is not undertaking any obligation or duty, to update these statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: CommScope