Infineon debuts blockchain security starter kit

By Alex Pluemer, contributing writer

Blockchain designers need faster and simpler ways to integrate hardware-based security features into their digital transactional systems. With that in mind, Infineon Technologies recently introduced its new Blockchain Security 2Go Starter Kit for protecting critical user credentials by providing an easy way to build hardware-based security into their systems.

“The success of the blockchain system hinges on securing user interaction with the distributed database,” according to Stefan Rueping, senior principal security chip architecture at Infineon Technologies. “Infineon’s Blockchain Security 2Go starter kit allows [users] to quickly develop convenient access solutions based on security tokens or embedded security chips that significantly increase security level and trust. Both are fundamental for successful adoption of blockchain-based services.”

Storing blockchain user credentials on a computer or mobile device can lead to major security breaches — software can be infiltrated remotely, and hardware can be stolen. Hackers can assume control of blockchain identity as well as currency, assets, ID, contracts, and other user data. Losing or misplacing user credentials can be problematic because blockchain credentials often can’t be centrally restored. Implementing a security token is typically the safest way to protect credentials from both software and hardware attacks.

The Blockchain Security 2Go Starter Kit features five NFC smart cards based on Infineon’s security controller with blockchain crypto-features that can be used to help accelerate the development of first prototypes of a blockchain application and seamlessly incorporate hardware-based security solutions into those designs. An open-source Android app for Ethereum and Smart contract examples is included.

Security tokens — smart cards, dongles, or mobile device solutions — enable users to generate secure unique public and private key pairs, authenticate with a PIN, and sign data and digital transactions. User credentials can be stored in the security controller, protecting them in the event that a security token is lost or stolen or from remote attacks on software or the micro-architecture.

Infineon’s Blockchain Security 2GO starter kit will be available in the first quarter of 2019.