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STMicroelectronics Enters Volume Production
of Trusted Computing Solution and Delivers More Than One Million Chips
to Motherboard Manufacturers
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Geneva, July 11, 2005 – STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) today announced volume production of the ST19WP18 Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and confirmed that more than one million of the TCG (Trusted Computing Group) 1.2 devices, complete with software stack, have already been delivered in Q2 2005 to a number of major PC motherboard makers across the world. Embedded in a PC system, the module increases security by enabling validation of both the personal computer and its user, as well as providing secure storage for critical data and passwords. The ST19WP18 TPM is now used by several major PC manufacturers in their own products. Intel is shipping its first series of motherboards that make use of the new security chip. The Intel® Desktop Boards D945GNTLKR, D945GTPLKR, D945GCZLKR from its Executive Series line are based on the Intel® 945G Express Chipset and are positioned to deliver the stability, manageability and security valued by corporate users in sectors where protection against identity theft, viruses and other attacks are especially important.” “ST was the first company to release an integrated TCG 1.2 solution, implementing this latest and most advanced TCG 1.2 specification,” said Alain Jarre, Director of the Consumer & IT Business Unit in STMicroelectronics’ Smartcard ICs Division. “ST has more than 20 years experience in the design of highly secure silicon products; we are a major supplier of secure microcontrollers to multiple smart card markets and other applications. We are happy that with these first deliveries to major companies like Intel, ST’s leading position in the trusted computing market is confirmed.” The Trusted Computing Group (TCG) is a broad alliance of major hardware and software companies working to create more secure computing environments through the use of hardware building blocks and cross-platform software interfaces. The product now shipping is an off-the-shelf TCG 1.2-ready security solution intended for desktop and laptop PCs, and is backward compatible with the earlier TCG 1.1b specification already used in millions of PCs shipped by leading computer manufacturers. New functions include Delegation, Transport Protection and Locality. The chip includes the Core TCG Software Stack (CTSS) licensed from NTRU Cryptosystems Inc., which provides the essential core interface and security services framework for any application that relies on the TPM; and the Embassy® Security Center (ESC) and Cryptographic Services Provider (CSP) from Wave Systems Corp., powerful TPM management and cryptographic support utilities for PC applications; the CSP is compliant with Microsoft's crypto-API specification. In addition the software stack includes the BIOS and Windows® drivers required by Windows® 2000 and XP systems, including the Memory Absent and Memory Present BIOS drivers, the Windows Kernel-mode driver (TDD), and the Windows user-mode driver (TDDL). The ST19WP18 hardware is based on a full-featured 8-bit microcomputer from the ST19W family of security-proven MCUs, which is dedicated to smart card and other secure applications, with an advanced 1088-bit cryptographic co-processor supporting Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) functions. It includes a 33MHz Low Pin Count (LPC) interface compliant with the Intel specification, for communication with the host processor. The need for trusted computing arises as personal computer systems become more complex and increasingly vulnerable to physical and electronic attack, especially laptop computers and other portable devices. The concept is expected to be used immediately in the majority of new computers, based on the TCG specifications. In addition to basic validation, the TPM can verify that hardware is unchanged, the BIOS is not compromised, and that a 'trusted process' should run. It can establish 'trusted relationships' with other computers to reduce the opportunities for viruses and other attacks. For the user, trusted computing can provide convenient single sign-on to systems and enable digital signatures for secure transactions. The low-cost ST19WP18 is available in volume now in a TSSOP28 package. About the Trusted Computing Group The Trusted Computing Group (TCG) is a not-for-profit organization – of which ST is one of around 100 members – which exists to develop and promote open standards for hardware-enabled trusted computing and security technologies, including hardware building blocks and software interfaces, across multiple platforms, peripherals and devices. Its primary goal is to help users protect their information assets such as data, passwords and keys from compromise due to software attack and physical theft. The Group was formed as a successor to the Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA), which was founded in 1999 by Compaq, HP, IBM, Intel and Microsoft. TCG has adopted the existing TCPA specifications, including the Main (TPM 1.1) specification, and PC Specific Implementation specification. A TSS (TCG Software Stack) specification was announced on September 15, 2003, and the TPM 1.2 specification on November 5, 2003. Work groups have been formed for server, PDA, and digital phone implementation specifications. Further information: Trusted Computing Group: www.trustedcomputinggroup.org NTRU Cryptosystems Inc.: www.ntru.com Wave Systems Corp.: www.wavesys.com Intel Corp.: www.intel.com About STMicroelectronics STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2004, the Company's net revenues were $8.76 billion and net earnings were $601 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. |
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