SUNNYVALE, Calif. – February 29, 2016 – Rambus Inc.(NASDAQ:RMBS)today announced that its Cryptography Research division has signed an agreement with long-term ecosystem partner, The Athena Group, Inc. (Athena), to its patents covering DPA Countermeasures for use in Athena cryptographic security IP cores for field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and defense application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Athena is a leading provider of security, cryptography, and anti-tamper IP cores with DPA countermeasures that address the insidious security threat of side-channel attacks.
This agreement allows Athena customers to obtain, directly from Athena, advanced countermeasure solutions that rely on Rambus Cryptography Research patents to protect against side-channel attacks. By leveraging these advanced countermeasures implementations, Athena customers can ensure the data integrity of products that run applications requiring a high level of security, particularly those serving the aerospace and defense sectors.
“Securing cores against DPA attacks is a top priority for us and for our customers,” said Monica Murphy, president and chief executive officer of Athena. “This expanded agreement with Rambus enables us to accelerate the adoption of advanced countermeasure solutions designed to counteract that risk. By providing our customers with a license to use Rambus Cryptography Researchinventions in connection with our extensive portfolio of cryptographic cores, we can streamline the use model and make it significantly easier for customers to adopt this critical technology. We look forward to directly offering products that embody Rambus’ comprehensive portfolio of countermeasures patents.”
DPA, or differential power analysis, is a type of side-channel attack that monitors variations in the electrical power consumption or EM emissions from a target device. These measurements can be used to obtain cryptographic keys and other sensitive information from semiconductors. Athena DPA countermeasures, in conjunction with Rambus patents, offer a proven solution to warding off these attacks, protecting devices against the extraction of critical, private data.
“Today’s leading manufacturers are looking for solutions to counter the increasing threat of side-channel attacks,” said Paul Kocher, chief scientist of the Rambus Cryptography Research division. “Broader and faster adoption of DPA Countermeasures in the FPGA ecosystem will ensure that components are insulated from these types of vulnerabilities. Athena’s increased ability to rapidly engage and deliver solutions based on our portfolio of DPA countermeasures patents will bring significant benefits to the industries they serve, where safety and security are paramount.”
To learn more about Rambus and the Cryptography Research Division, visit rambus.com/security.
To learn more about Athena, visit athena-group.com.
