Mocana takes lead on plans to develop kits for building more robust IIoT devices and services with Avnet, Microsoft, Infineon and Xilinx.
Mocana, a start-up working on security for industrial control systems (ICSs), has announced it is partnering with electronic components company Avnet, software giant Microsoft, semiconductor specialist Infineon and Xilinx, a supplier of programmable logic devices, in order to develop an industrial IoT (IIoT) system “that meets the latest cybersecurity standards.”
The result is a hybrid bundle of both hardware and software built on Avnet’s UltraZed-EG system-on-module (SOM) technology. It is designed to be flexible and rugged for IIoT and small-form-factor IoT devices. The combination includes Mocana’s security software operating on the Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+ MPSoC, using the capabilities of Infineon’s OPTIGA TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 security chip.
It interoperates with the Microsoft Azure cloud, with the goal of making it easier and more accessible for companies to bring more secure IIoT devices and services to market.
Read more: IIoT could revolutionize UK manufacturing, says Siemens-led report
Critical importance
“Securing our connected world is of critical importance,” said Srinivas Kumar, vice president of engineering at Mocana. “A major challenge for developers of IoT edge products is their lack of familiarity with cybersecurity standards. Our partnership with industry leaders Avnet, Xilinx, Infineon and Microsoft intends to ease this burden by providing a robust hardware plus software cybersecurity design that can be replicated or modified by system designers to fit their application needs.”
As the IIoT expands, device manufacturers must meet stringent cybersecurity standards, such as IEC 62443-3-3, FIPS 140-2 and NERC CIP 003-3.
According to the companies that make up this alliance, designers and developers need a robust platform that includes both hardware and software for IIoT. The joint solution is comprised of a comprehensive suite of secure hardware and software technologies that can be embedded into IoT and IIoT devices, including:
- Avnet UltraZed-EG system on module (SOM): A board-level circuit that integrates a system function in a single module.
- Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+ MPSoC: A heterogeneous, multi-core ARM processing system with programmable logic for scalable and comprehensive IIoT edge platforms.
- Infineon OPTIGA TPM 2.0 PMOD: A peripheral module comprised of a secure chip that generates hardware and software keys based on Trusted Computing Group (TCG) standards.
- Mocana IoT Security Platform: Cybersecurity software that integrates with embedded applications to handle authentication, certificate management, device and data integrity, confidentiality and encryption and control.
- Microsoft Azure IoT Device SDK and Azure IoT Edge runtime: Software that facilitates building secure cloud and intelligent edge applications.
Mocana’s move to initiate this agreement in the commercial space is interesting in that that the firm has a track record in producing military-grade technology. As IoT devices, their controllers and higher level embedded systems now form a part of increasingly complex software-defined networks, we may be on the tipping point of defining military-grade IoT security as the new standard for industrial control systems.
One week to go: Don’t miss our IoT Build event, taking place in London on 14 & 15 November 2017. It’s a great opportunity for attendees to explore the platforms, architectures, applications and connectivity that comprise the IoT ecosystem. IoT Build will also be coming to San Francisco on 27 & 28 March 2018.
