The Hague-based research institution TNO has forged a partnership with Fortaegis to propel secure chip technology forward. Situated in Amsterdam, Fortaegis is noted for its deep-tech innovations. Their collaboration aims to hasten the emergence of chip-embedded security features. This development is crucial in fortifying technology across diverse industries, from communications to military applications. Together, TNO and Fortaegis aspire to advance this technology on a global scale by integrating advanced security features directly within microchips.
TNO’s strategic ally, Fortaegis, has previously been recognized for its innovative approaches. In recent years, the advancement of Fortaegis’s 5nm Secure Processing Unit (SPU) has caught the attention of investors and tech sectors alike. Fortaegis’s unique design connects hardware, firmware, and software seamlessly, emphasizing both military and civilian utility. These previous efforts paved the way for today’s collaboration with TNO, signifying continuity in their mission to elevate chip security.
Why Is Security by Design Crucial for Chips?
Fortaegis’s secure design process shows significant advantages over conventional methods, as it integrates security directly into the hardware. By accentuating the physical properties of materials, these chips’ security aspects become robust against common cyber threats. The intrinsic “fingerprints” present in each chip offer unparalleled protection, eliminating the necessity for software-based cryptographic keys.
How Will TNO’s Investment Influence Fortaegis?
TNO’s investment is poised to support Fortaegis in refining this advanced chip technology, which holds potential for various industries. By participating in Fortaegis’s growth, TNO contributes toward enhancing the strategic autonomy of technological infrastructure in the Netherlands and Europe. TNO is actively scrutinizing test methodologies and advancing software research to ensure the communication protocols meet stringent security standards.
Fortaegis aims to implement their SPU technology in sectors like AI, telecommunications, and defense, leveraging its unique attributes to handle complex data systems. The elimination of the need to transfer cryptographic keys forms a backbone against significant threats, including those posed by future quantum computing capabilities. Their collaboration extends beyond defense, touching industries such as automotive and finance through strategic partnerships.
Partnership roots for Fortaegis extend to collaborations with NATO and key players across continents, including Europe, the UK, the US, and Japan. These collaborations signal intention to balance innovation with global security demands. TNO supports this objective by developing long-term R&D projects and participating in national and European research initiatives related to new network technologies. This mutual cooperation aligns with an enduring commitment to privacy-friendly technologies, such as federated learning.
“Chip security’s growing relevance stems from its critical role in modern technology,” remarks TNO’s CEO, Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi. The enterprise sees boosting tech partnerships as crucial for not only securing their strategic goals in technology but also for Europe’s broader technological leadership. Boudewijn Wijnands, the CEO of Fortaegis, states,
“TNO’s strategic investment demonstrates our shared commitment to vital security advancements, underscoring technology’s geopolitical significance.”
Facilitating Fortaegis’s capability to integrate intrinsic security measures into chip designs is financially backed by TNO Ventures, emphasizing the ripple effect of high-tech investments. As technology paths grow intertwined with geopolitics and development, this partnership denotes an approach balancing leadership with a responsibility towards trustworthy technology innovations.
