UMC, eMemory, and PUFsecurity Announce Successful Silicon-Proven Secure Embedded Flash IP
June 28, 2022 – eMemory (TWSE: 3529) and its subsidiary PUFsecurity, and United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE: UMC; TWSE: 2303) ("UMC"), a leading global semiconductor foundry, announced today the successful silicon qualification of the world’s first PUF (Physical Unclonable Function)-based secure embedded flash solution.
Embedded flash has been prone to non-invasive attacks on sensitive data, key parameters, firmware, and program codes. Program codes stored in an embedded flash are usually unencrypted for real-time execution purposes, giving attackers a chance to steal product secrets. PUFsecurity’s PUFef (formerly known as PUFflash) is a win-win solution, making real-time execution in place (XiP) and data-at-rest protection possible. With its built-in Root of Trust (PUFrt), PUFef enables comprehensive data protection for UMC’s eFlash technology platform, which is engineered to address the performance and ultra-low power requirements of IoT applications and the real-time encryption/decryption for program codes.
“We have seen growing demand for secure storage,” said Chris Lu, Senior Vice President of eMemory. “It’s a natural step for customers to ask how their storage unit would be protected to counter the increasing threat. Together with PUFsecurity, customers can significantly increase the safety of their data with the optimal solution for each one’s different application scenario.”
“The silicon-proven IP is now available off-shelf for customers using UMC's eFlash platform for a variety of applications,” said Osbert Cheng, Vice President of Device Technology Development & Design Support at UMC. “This cooperation will provide our customers safer, more stable, and faster solutions, and we expect it will enhance our specialty technology offering and address more business possibilities in the embedded flash market.”
“PUFef solves a major dilemma between protecting sensitive information and real-time program execution without burdening the chip’s performance,” said Evans Yang, Executive Vice President of PUFsecurity. “Given the success of PUFef with UMC, it’s an important step for us that expands our business to flash protection, helping clients protect their know-how and enhance product performance.”
