General-purpose MCU meets CMVP Level 3 certification

Renesas Electronics Corp. has claimed that its 32-bit RX65N microcontroller (MCU) is the industry’s first general-purpose MCU to achieve Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) Level 3 certification under the FIPS 140-2 security standard by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The certification makes it easier for designers to meet security requirements for industrial and IoT devices, while reducing overall security risks and the need for a dedicated security chip.

The FIPS 140 standard is a security requirement for applications used by government agencies, financial institutions, public facilities, and infrastructure, and it is becoming a de-facto standard for security worldwide, said Renesas. Level 3 provides a high security level with tamper detection/response and identity-based authentication mechanisms for devices used to handle financial information such as hardware security modules (HSMs) and smart cards.

RX65N block diagram (Click for a larger image.)

The 32-bit RX65N MCU with security, connectivity, and human-machine interface (HMI) functions are suited for applications such as industrial and IoT devices.  The RX65N incorporates the Trusted Secure IP (TSIP) module, which is already Cryptographic Algorithm Validation Program (CAVP) certified. The TSIP includes an encryption engine with AES, SHA, RSA, and ECC support, a true random number generator (TRNG), and an encrypted key management mechanism.

In addition, the RX65N features dual-bank flash memory that supports background operation and SWAP function to enable secure and reliable firmware updates in system control or network devices and to prevent program tampering.

Renesas said since the RX65N is CMVP Level 3 certified, the other RX Family MCUs with the same TSIP – the RX651, RX66N, RX72N, and RX72M – can implement the security functionality equivalent.

Renesas also offers a “Secure Cloud & Sensor Solution” that combines the RX65N with Renesas sensors to allow users to securely upload sensor data to cloud services. The RX65N Cloud Kit is designed to simplify secure IoT endpoint device connections to Amazon Web Services (AWS). The kit, which features onboard Wi-Fi as well as environmental, light, and inertial sensors, combines the RX65N MCU with Amazon FreeRTOS connected to AWS.