Role of Semicondutor in Security in the Internet of Things

Security Issues might me one of the major concerns of Internet Of Things, Over the timeframe, IoT is moving from a centralized structure to a complex network of decentralized smart devices. The vast network governed by IoT could facilitate computer-mediated strategies for conducting business, which in turn proves to be beneficial in the fields of healthcare and other personalized enterprises. The innovative ways adopted with IoT will help transform regular jobs intriguing for public usage. This shift promises entirely new services and business opportunities.

Since IoT still hasn’t hit puberty yet, but the infrastructures that incorporate IoT will have an estimation of more than $3.9 trillion to $11.1 trillion worldwide by 2025.

Security and IoT

Built on several semiconductor technologies, including power management devices, sensors, and microprocessors, the performance may largely differ on respective devices. The greater the volume of sensitive data transferred over the IoT, the greater the risk of data and identity theft, device manipulation, data falsification, IP theft and even server/network manipulation can occur. Thus it is not the safest thing in the world but the success of smart home, connected car lie in IoT.

Hackers are already attacking various IoT hubs to target other devices. Semiconductor companies are therefore willing to generate the solution that would strengthen the security protocols governing IoT.

Across the full application spectrum, you can rely on us to deliver:

• Value through greater differentiation at reduced cost to keep you one step ahead
• Ease of deployment with no loss of user experience
• Tailored, granular security functionality, balancing performance with cost
• Reliability with high-quality products and a proven track record to reduce uncertainty in the new business model.

Challenges

1)Complex devices are prone to virtual attacks even if they are secured independently. To increase the security compatibility, new end-to-end encryption is required. But that doesn’t solve the issue either. System operators or integrators must provide this end-end service to divide the overall security vulnerability thus minimizing the probably of cyber attacks.

But it is yet to be developed. None of them are well equipped to provide such services.

2)The security protocols rely on a small set of proprietary, incompatible technology standards issued by bigger enterprises. This might lower the adoption of IoT or even scare the device manufacturers, and others from developing new technological solutions since they do not know whether their innovations will meet the guidelines that eventually become dominant.

Either way, IoT stakeholders will have difficulty in providing end-end encryption protocols without common standards.

3)Even though security is at stake here, stakeholders view it as a commodity—a basic feature that does not merit higher prices. Thus creating a void between the necessity and the price to be paid. 31 percent of semiconductor leaders have confirmed that they want zero security breaches at any given price, 38 percent believed that their customers want security solutions that eliminate at least 98 percent of potential risks (Exhibit 2). Only 15 percent of respondents believed that their customers would be willing to pay a premium higher than 20 percent for the next tier of enhanced chip security.

4) The real struggle lies when end customers and device manufacturers are not willing to pay for the security protocols adopted by the semiconductor companies. The notion that disregards then the former protocol is due to the fact end customers and device manufacturers.

Partner of choice for IoT security

Infineon has developed a broad range of easy-to-deploy semiconductor technologies to counter growing security threats in the IoT. These solutions enable system and device manufacturers as well as service providers to capitalize on growth opportunities by integrating the right level of security without compromising on the user experience. Complemented by software and supporting services, our hardware-based products create an anchor of trust for security implementations, supporting device integrity checks, authentication, and secure key management.