CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) and STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) have recently announced their collaboration to integrate CommScope’s PKIWorks IoT security platform with ST’s STM32WB microcontroller unit (MCU). This integration aims to provide device manufacturers with a streamlined solution for developing IoT devices compliant with the Connectivity Standards Alliance’s Matter standard for security.
The collaborative effort simplifies the manufacturing process for secure Matter-device credentials, offering substantial cost and time reductions for IoT device manufacturers. With this integrated solution, devices can now be commissioned at the MCU level without the need for developer intervention. The collaboration leverages CommScope’s extensive experience in integrating cryptographic keys and digital certificates into high-volume manufacturing production and ST’s expertise in microcontrollers and development ecosystems.
Nathalie Vallespin, STM32 Connectivity product line manager at STMicroelectronics, emphasized their commitment to making Matter development seamless for all device makers. She stated, “Our expertise in secure elements positions us to create unique collaborations like this one with CommScope, accelerating the adoption of Matter development through an easy and secure process for credential provisioning.”
Bart Giordano, president of Networking, Intelligent Cellular, and Security Solutions at CommScope, highlighted the integration’s ability to address the challenges of Matter adoption. He emphasized the companies’ long-standing collaborative relationship and their collective experience in digital security, semiconductor solutions, and device manufacturing.
CommScope’s PKIWorks platform is a secure credential provisioning and management solution optimized for creating and delivering Matter device credentials. It supports a wide range of STM32 MCUs and STSAFE-A, catering to resource-constrained IoT devices.
Matter, introduced in October 2022, serves as the unified smart home standard for interoperability and security among smart home devices. Developed through collaboration involving numerous technology companies under the Connectivity Standards Alliance, Matter ensures standardization and security across suppliers and IoT ecosystems, promoting reliable and secure operation of smart devices.
The integration of PKIWorks with ST’s MCU platform provides a robust foundation for future expansion, generating over 30 billion device credentials annually. The platform covers both factory settings and over-the-air provisioning, supplying Device Attestation Credentials (DACs) and Node Operational Credentials (NOCs) to support the security lifecycle of Matter devices.
Device manufacturers designing with STM32 and STSAFE-A can leverage PKIWorks services, available now. CommScope’s Sentry, integrated with ST’s platforms, simplifies product development by streamlining device credential provisioning in manufacturing, facilitating faster time-to-market for IoT device providers. The STM32WB with the PKIWorks client is available in multiple configurations to accommodate diverse manufacturing environments of IoT device providers.
