iSDNA Advantage : Better then eSE / ARM TrustZone ..

iSDNA Advantage

The current security protection mechanisms for IoT and the entire internet follow a common structure. Both the cloud and client layers primarily rely on passive protection, similar to eSE and ARM TrustZone.

This process can take over a year, as it involves multiple phases—from detecting hackers and security incidents to identifying vulnerabilities and developing patches.

Only iSDNA's cloud protection mechanism can proactively safeguard IoT-controlled devices against unknown vulnerabilities and cyberattacks.

Below is an analysis of security strategies in the industry.

The following is a discussion on the security plan of the industry.

Comparison: iSDNA vs. Other Security Solutions

• 1. Superior Security

  • iSDNA provides stronger protection for IoT communication modules compared to TrustZone and eSE because hackers cannot bypass iSDNA authentication.

  2. Instant Deployment

  • iSDNA offers seamless industry integration with no modifications needed to existing industry designs. Simply install our chip between the communication module and the control unit.

  • iSDNA manages security protocols and encryption, making encryption key management more efficient.

  • In contrast, TrustZone faces multiple challenges:

    • Requires changing the communication controller to an ARM architecture.

    • Involves complex industry integration, encryption key management, and an asset key exchange platform.

    • Has a longer value chain, increasing dependency on industry-wide cooperation.

  • Our solution is simpler, more adaptable, and complies with various national security policies.

  3. Cost-Effective

  • eSE-based security architectures incur higher costs due to IoT communication module maintenance, updates, and diverse circuit designs for different chip specifications.

  • TrustZone for NB-IoT requires Linux AP support and a SIM authentication mechanism, leading to large application sizes (often exceeding megabytes) and significantly increasing deployment complexity and cost.

  • iSDNA, in contrast:

    • Supports multiple security standards via a lightweight Java Applet.

    • Allows SIM authentication applet installation in NB-IoT environments to reduce costs.

    • Requires only a few kilobytes per module for security and business updates, cutting operational expenses by hundreds of times compared to TrustZone and eSE solutions.

    
    

Current IoT Security Challenges (eSE-based Architectures)

The most common IoT security architecture today is eSE-based, which is widely used in the industry. For example, Apple HomeKit follows a similar security model.

Example: Apple HomeKit

• HomeKit integrates Wi-Fi into IoT communication modules and uses HAP/WAC service frameworks.

• Apple employs PKI authentication in the certification processor to verify iPhones and facilitate secure communication between HomeKit devices over Wi-Fi.

• However, this structure is vulnerable:

  • In 2023, MediaTek discovered a remote Wi-Fi vulnerability that allowed attackers to gain root access.

  • Once root access is obtained, security authentication is bypassed, making all protections useless.

  • This remains a major unsolved issue in the industry—communication module security is not adequately addressed.

iSDNA vs. ARM TrustZone

ARM TrustZone: Limitations & Risks

ARM TrustZone divides the system into:

• Rich OS (Insecure)

• Trust OS (Secure)

It relies on a monitoring mechanism to manage instructions, interrupts, and memory register exchanges. However, this approach has significant security flaws:

• Since memory register management is centralized, memory overflow attacks are easily executed.

• TrustZone's monitoring mechanism operates within the Linux kernel, making it vulnerable in open-source environments.

  • Governments and hackers could potentially manipulate the system or introduce hidden backdoors, particularly in markets like Chinese smartphone manufacturing.

• Even with EAL6+ certified hardware, TrustZone does not guarantee security.

Industry-Wide Security & Business Model Issues

• Qualcomm has proposed a $1 EAL6+ NB-IoT module, but security concerns persist due to open-source vulnerabilities.

• iSDNA has achieved higher security levels:

  • Hardware: EAL6+ certified

  • Software Kernel: EAL4+ (targeting EAL6+ certification in the future)

• ARM TrustZone cannot achieve EAL6+ certification due to its reliance on an open-source OS, which remains susceptible to root access exploits.

• In 2023 alone, three critical security threats were discovered in ARM TrustZone.

Industry-Wide IoT Certification Challenges

Current IoT certification frameworks suffer from several major weaknesses:

• Limited security mechanisms inherited from pre-installed device architectures.

• Inability to defend against future bug threats and attacks.

• Lack of cross-brand compatibility for security standards.

• High maintenance costs for security updates.

The iSDNA Advantage

iSDNA offers a unique security solution that overcomes these industry challenges:

• Security-as-a-Service – Enables continuous security updates for deployed devices.

• Proactive Bug Isolation & Instant Alerts – Detects and mitigates new vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

• Cross-Brand Compatibility – Supports multiple applications and dynamic updates for secure cross-brand collaboration.

• Reduced Maintenance Costs – Allows flexible product updates while minimizing post-sale service expenses.

• Cuts IoT operational costs by 100x compared to current architectures.