In a move said to underline the importance of security in IoT, ARM has acquired Offspark, a Dutch company which specialises in IoT communications security. According to ARM, the company's PolarSSL technology is already deployed in a range of devices, including sensor modules, communication modules and smartphones.
"We have always said that security must be the foundation of any IoT system and the acquisition of Offspark is evidence of us making that happen," said Krisztian Flautner, pictured, general manager of ARM's IoT business. "PolarSSL technology is already deployed by the leading IoT players. The fact that those same companies also use ARM Cortex processor and software technologies means we are now able to provide a complete bedrock solution for the industry to innovate from."
PolarSSL is a Transport Layer Security (TLS) solution and will form the core of the ARM mbed communication security and software cryptography strategy. Following the acquisition, the solution will be known as ARM mbed TLS. However, the technology will remain open source and available to developers for commercial use. ARM will release mbed OS under an Apache 2.0 license which will include mbed TLS, Thread, and other key technologies toward the end of 2015.
"ARM is undeniably the front runner in the embedded world and combining with it is the perfect way of scaling our business," said Paul Bakker, Offspark's CEO. "Security is the most fundamental aspect in ensuring people trust IoT technology and that is only possible with a truly tailored solution."
Author
Graham Pitcher
Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk