Atmel's CryptoMemory Prevents Cloning and Counterfeiting

San Jose, California (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Encryption Keys and Authentication Keys Cannot Be Read Or
Copied. Overcome Security Failures of Conventional EEPROM-based
Electronic Labels.

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), today announced the world's
first family of secure products called CryptoMemory(R). These devices
provide the only low-cost, truly secure means of preventing product
counterfeiting and/or piracy of Intellectual Property (IP) and OEM
parts. CryptoMemory uses a 64-bit embedded hardware encryption
engine, four sets of non-readable, 64-bit authentication keys and
four sets of non-readable, 64-bit session encryption keys to provide
a higher level of protection than products based solely on EEPROM
technology.

Product Counterfeiting is a $600 Billion Industry. EEPROM-based
"electronic labels" are increasingly used to protect high-value
products that include fashion accessories, athletic equipment and
prescription drugs. However, product counterfeiters have become quite
sophisticated at decoding and cloning EEPROM-based electronic labels
and using them on fake products. Even the most secure EEPROMs can be
copied easily using a sub-$100 EEPROM reader. The copied contents,
including SHA-1 digests and encrypted passwords, can then be written
to blank EEPROMs to create a seemingly valid electronic label. The
host reader will see these copies as authentic passwords or SHA-1
digests, even if they are encrypted. They have no way of knowing they
are copies, making this form of protection very easy to defeat.

CryptoMemory has Secure Dynamic Mutual Authentication. Every time
a transaction occurs, a CryptoMemory uses its "secret" authentication
keys and a random number to generate a unique 64-bit session
encryption key, and a unique 56-bit highly encrypted identity, called
a cryptogram. "Cracking" the CryptoMemory is of no use in creating
clones because new cryptograms are created for every transaction. The
old one won't work any more.

Once the authentication keys and session encryption keys are
written to the device, fuse bits are blown to permanently lock the
security information in the device. The keys can never be read -- not
even by the owner or the silicon manufacturer. The "secret" keys
remain secret.

Multiple Sectors with Configurable Access. CryptoMemory devices
are available in densities from 1 Kbit to 256 Kbits of user memory to
accommodate a wide range of information storage and cost
requirements. The user memory itself may be divided into as many as
16 separate sections, each of which can be customized to allow
different levels of read and write access.

Design Kit and Library Available Now. Atmel offers a CryptoMemory
design kit with a library of simple API calls that execute the most
complex host operations. The development library is delivered as a
highly decoupled binary cryptographic core, and a source code
interface for easy integration.

Memory Densities and Packaging. CryptoMemory devices are available
now in memory densities of 1-Kbit up to 256-Kbits, with support for
two-wire interface (TWI), and ISO 7816-3 interface in T=0 Mode.
Package options include 8-lead SOIC or PDIP plastic packages with
support for TWI, modules for smartcard applications with support for
both TWI and ISO 7816-3, and thinned wafers.

Atmel's Security System Solutions. also include biometric sensors,
secure RFID, secure memories for smart cards and embedded
applications, secure processors, and secure smart card reader ICs.
Atmel has the broadest selection of security chips available on the
market today.

Pricing. CryptoMemory devices are priced very competitively
compared to conventional EEPROM-based security solutions. Prices
start under 30 cents for unit quantities of 10,000 units.

The AT88SC-DKI CryptoMemory Development Kit is available now for
US $49.95 each and is available through Atmel distribution channels.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory
and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's
broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete system
solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications,
computing and automotive markets.

(C) 2007 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo
and combinations thereof, CryptoMemory(R), and others are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Atmel Corporation. Other terms and
product names may be the trademarks of others.

Information

For further technical information, go to: http://www.atmel.com/dyn
/corporate/view_detail.asp?FileName=CryptoMemoryT Brief_9_28.html

Atmel's CryptoMemory product information may be retrieved at:
http://www.atmel.com/products/SecureMem/

Press Contacts
Sharon Harnisch, Marketing Communications Manager
Phone: +1-719-540-1723, Email: sharnisch@cso.atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Sharon Harnisch, Marketing Communications Manager, +1-719-540-1723,
sharnisch@cso.atmel.com, or Helen Perlegos, Public Relations,
+1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com, both of Atmel Corporation