Arm Cortex M44 MCUs suitable for financial and government-grade security
A solution with built-in physical copy prevention technology for security modules

Maxim Integrated Korea has launched the MAX32520, a security solution based on ChipDNA for financial and government-grade security.
The MAX32520 is a secure Arm Cortex M44 MCU based on ChipDNA, featuring built-in physically unclonable function (PUF) technology for security modules. As a DeepCover security controller, it provides solutions including tamper resistance, IP protection, advanced encryption, large memory capacity, and improved cost efficiency.

It provides multi-layered defense by utilizing PUF, a cutting-edge key protection technology, to protect confidential information used in encrypted data operations.

This enables key protection solutions that deliver maximum efficiency at minimum cost in the IoT, healthcare, industrial, and computing systems sectors.

The encryption keys generated by the chip DNA PUF circuit exhibit high resistance to physical attacks, enabling enhanced tamper-evident capabilities. Protects sensitive information and provides strong IP security with flash encryption using PUF.

It also features a TRNG hardware accelerator that complies with SP 800-90A and SP 800-90B standards for AES 256, ECDSA P 521 SHA 512, enabling advanced encryption to protect user data.

It provides a large-capacity secure flash memory of up to 2 MB, enabling the execution of advanced applications in a secure environment, and eliminates the need for batteries, tamper detection ICs, and system management microcontrollers that are common in security-sensitive applications based on advanced process nodes.

Because hardware-based PUFs are tamper-proof, they can also support flash encryption, secure root-of-trust booting, and serial flash emulation.

While applications released to date have required battery power to provide cryptographic key protection solutions, PUF keys do not require power to erase the encrypted key protection structure in the event of an attack on the inherent physical security.

As the use of IoT applications increases, devices are exposed to uncontrolled risks and are also vulnerable to physical attacks. Because these threats are far more sophisticated than common software threats like weak password settings and factory reset password attacks, designers must also strengthen system security for critical core applications that can negatively impact daily life, including network collapse, damage to corporate reputation, and bankruptcy due to exposure of secret encryption keys.

“IoT developers want to bring advanced security to market with their designs built in, but they struggle to find the expertise to support it,” said Tanner Johnson, principal analyst at analyst firm Omdia. “If developers could include flash encryption PUFs and secure boot loading without redesigning their systems or developing internal code, time to market would be significantly reduced.”

“As threats to IoT systems grow, attack vectors are moving from the academic realm to open source,” said Chris Ardis, senior director of the Microsecurity Software Business Unit at Maxim Integrated. “The MAX32520, based on Chip DNA, includes cutting-edge key security technology that protects user data and IP while enabling future-proof designs.”