Getting Started with Silicon Labs IoT Security Features on Series 2 Devices#

Protecting IoT devices against security threats is central to a quality product. Silicon Labs offers several security options to help developers build secure devices, secure application software, and secure paths of communication to manage those devices. Silicon Labs’ security offerings were significantly enhanced by the introduction of the Series 2 products that included a Secure Engine. The Secure Engine is a tamper-resistant component used to securely store sensitive data and keys, and to execute cryptographic functions and secure services.

On Series 1 devices, the security features are implemented by the TRNG (if available) and CRYPTO peripherals.

On Series 2 devices, the security features are implemented by the Secure Engine and CRYPTOACC (if available). The Secure Engine may be hardware-based or virtual (software-based). Here the following abbreviations are used:

• HSE - Hardware Secure Engine

• VSE - Virtual Secure Engine

• SE - Secure Engine (either HSE or VSE)

Additional security features are provided by Secure Vault. Three levels of Secure Vault feature support are available, depending on the part and SE implementation, as reflected in the following table:

Note:

1. The features of different Secure Vault levels can be found in https://www.silabs.com/security .

2. The x is a letter B, F, M, or Z.

Secure Vault Mid consists of two core security functions:

• Secure Boot: Process where the initial boot phase is executed from an immutable memory (such as ROM) and where code is authenticated before being authorized for execution.

• Secure Debug access control: The ability to lock access to the debug ports for operational security, and to securely unlock them when access is required by an authorized entity.

Secure Vault High offers additional security options:

• Secure Key Storage: Protects cryptographic keys by “wrapping” or encrypting the keys using a root key known only to the HSE-SVH.

• Anti-Tamper protection: A configurable module to protect the device against tamper attacks.

• Device authentication: Functionality that uses a secure device identity certificate along with digital signatures to verify the source or target of device communications.

A Secure Engine Manager and other tools allow users to configure and control their devices both in-house during testing and manufacturing, and after the device is in the field.

Silicon Labs strongly recommends installing the latest SE firmware on Series 2 devices to support the required security features. The latest SE firmware image (.seu and .hex) and release notes can be found in these Windows folders of the GSDK.

C:\Users\<UserName>\SimplicityStudio\SDKs\gecko_sdk\util\se_release\public

If you have not already installed the GSDK, instructions for doing so with Simplicity Studio are available in the Getting Started section of the Simplicity Studio 5 User's Guide.

Refer to AN1222: Production Programming of Series 2 Devices for guidance on the SE firmware upgrade procedure. The latest SE firmware shipped with Series 2 devices and modules (if available) at the time of this writing are listed in the following table:

In support of these products Silicon Labs offers whitepapers, webinars, and documentation. The following table summarizes the key security documents: