According to market research data, more than 2 billion IoT devices are connected to the internet annually, and global internet traffic reached 3.3 zettabytes in 2021. While massive amounts of information are being properly provided to numerous users, the average annual number of internet hacking incidents in Korea reaches approximately 2,300, establishing security as an essential element in product development.

In this coverage of small but strong companies, we met with Ranix, a company that has received KCMVP (National Intelligence Service Cryptographic Module Verification) Level 2 certification for security technology that cannot be overlooked in this era of massive IoT information distribution.

► What kind of company is Ranix?

Ranix is a fabless company established in 2003, consisting of a total of 70 engineers and about 10 general employees. We are currently developing Hi-Pass terminal chips targeting the domestic and Chinese markets, and in 2020, we launched a hardware-type physical encryption security chip targeting the IoT market and became the first in Korea to receive certification under the KCMVP, a cryptographic module verification system of the National Intelligence Service.
► What is the NIS Cryptographic Module Certification System?

KCMVP is a system that verifies the safety and implementation suitability of cryptographic modules for developers of devices using the national public information and communications networks, such as smart metering IoT for electricity, water, and gas, which are managed by state governments.
In the case of information and communications networks of national and public institutions, hackers can utilize various hacking programs to access desired information based on the web-like data network in the event of a hacking incident. A prime example of this is the hacking incident involving Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. Even to this day, hacking attempts are made against KEPCO every year, and there are more than 1,000 hacking attempts annually against public institutions under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy alone.

Even considering only IoT devices, given their use in various fields such as smart factories, autonomous vehicles, digital healthcare, and smart cities, the overall security level of the system may be vulnerable depending on how the security of the devices themselves, as well as the system, is classified.

► How is Ranix's security IC different from existing security ICs?

Ranix has launched its RS2332 (KCMVP Level 2 certified), specialized for IoT, and is providing hardware-based physical encryption security chips to the market.

According to Ranix, while existing security chips are based on the concept of adding security functions to an MCU, the RS1211/RS2332 is an IC that adds a controller to the security chip, placing physical security as its top mission; Ranix emphasized that its security chips differ from the very starting concept of development.

Ranix's security chips enable the input and retrieval of customer security information through internal memory such as ROM and RAM. For customers requiring high security, Ranix provides equipment and technology support to allow them to directly input relevant security information at the actual device development site.

In addition, it was stated, "If high-level encryption capabilities are required to participate in state government projects with a customer's existing products, it may be possible to develop a more suitable device by using Ranix's KCMVP-certified ICs together."