Secure element simplifies security and improves user experience for Matter devices

NXP Semiconductors has released the EdgeLock SE051H, a secure element designed for Matter, adding to the industry's widest portfolio of Matter devices. The device is a single-chip solution with integrated NFC intended to simplify Matter devices' secure and seamless onboarding and allow new smart home user experiences, such as suggested automations, installation videos and other content, with only the tap of an NFC-enabled phone.

The recently launched Matter standard is designed to ease device interoperability challenges within the smart home network. It raises the bar on smart home security with multiple features to shield smart home devices, including cryptographic keypairs, digital certificates, and other security-related hardware and firmware requirements. The device is optimised to support these necessities, including the algorithms and cryptographic functions required for Matter, making it easy for manufacturers to include the essential security protections into end devices.

"The Matter standard was designed with security in mind, recognising that security is an essential component to the future of the smart home," said Philippe Dubois, senior vice president and general manager, Secure Transactions and Identification, NXP. "The single-chip EdgeLock SE051H makes it easy for developers to secure their Matter-certified smart home devices, while integrated NFC improves the end-user Matter experience and allows device makers to differentiate based on that user experience."

The device is Common Criteria EAL 6+ certified and supports the cryptographic operations required for a Matter-certified smart device. This possesses Matter device attestation, certificate-based authentication with ECC cryptography and NIST P-256 curve, and the SPAKE2+ algorithm for password-authenticated key exchange. It also includes key security functions such as ECDSA, ECDH, and True Random Number Generator to protect the Matter protocol. Also, the device has an integrated NFC interface and Type-4 Tag capability.

Matter's security needs include a device attestation certificate confirming device authenticity, demonstrating trustworthiness and establishing an authenticated connection with the larger Matter network. The company is one of the first semiconductor manufacturers to have been granted trusted Product Attestation Authority status by the CSA. Its EdgeLock 2GO service offers a flexible platform for securely provisioning IoT devices. EdgeLock 2GO, combined with EdgeLock SE051H, can pre-inject credentials straight into silicon at silicon manufacturing or can provide the credentials securely OTA with end-to-end security to simplify supply chain management and be in compliance with the Matter standard.