Kontron Introduces Innovative Embedded Security Concept for IoT and Industry 4.0 Environments

Kontron Secure Systems Available as a Standard for all Products with Latest Generation Intel® Processors

Augsburg, Germany, March 15, 2017 – Kontron, a leading global provider of Embedded Computing Technology (ECT) presents its trend-setting Kontron Secure Systems concept at embedded world 2017 in Nuremberg from March 14 to 16 for the first time. This makes Kontron one of the first embedded computing providers to offer a holistic approach to protecting embedded systems on three device levels relevant to security: BIOS (Secure BIOS), operating system (Secure OS), and application (Secure Application).

Kontron uses proven standards by Unified EFI Forum and Trusted Computer Group (TCG) for protection of the BIOS level. Kontron Secure/Trusted Boot offers a unified feature set on all platforms with secure firmware updates and a protected boot mechanism through TPM 2.0 hardware. The new solution is available immediately for all Kontron products with 7^th generation Intel® Core™ and Intel® Xeon® processors (formerly known as Kaby Lake) as well as latest generation Intel® Atom®, Celeron® and Pentium® processors (formerly known as Apollo Lake). Kontron Secure/Trusted Boot ensures that only programs that have been signed and verified are run during boot. Unauthorized and thus potentially harmful code that may be used to manipulate the device does not stand a chance. Unwanted changes to the BIOS or the OS loader are no longer possible. Kontron Secure/Trusted Boot does not only protect the BIOS level but paves the way for and guarantees the execution of a secure OS.

Kontron's secure OS is Windows 10 IoT; further secure OS alternatives are planned for the future. The specific version is Windows 10 IoT Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB), a Windows 10 version developed specifically for IoT environments. It offers comprehensive security mechanisms for the system itself and for safeguarding corporate data. Security functions such as Secure Boot, BitLocker, Device Guard, and Credential Guard make sure that the system is always protected, from boot to shutdown.

On an application level, the Kontron Secure Systems concept relies on the proven Security Solution Kontron APPROTECT. Introduced in 2016, it combines a software framework with an integrated security chip in addition to the TPM 2.0 to provide comprehensive protection for the application software. Kontron APPROTECT encrypts an application's source code in a way that makes reverse engineering impossible (IP Protection/Reverse Engineering Protection). The integrated security chip constantly checks the application encryption to make sure it is only run on the intended devices (Copy Protection). At the same time, its integrity is monitored and protected to prevent the execution of manipulated applications. In addition to its safety features, Kontron APPROTECT Licensing enables users to realize new business models. It is for example, possible to limit individual application features to a specific time span or number of executions. Trial scenarios, license or subscription models benefit from this approach. 

"Security is becoming more and more important across industries. Solution providers are facing tough challenges, especially in the embedded market: They have to make sure that security always remains intact despite long product life cycles," explains Kontron Software Product Manager Stefan Eberhardt. "The Kontron Secure Systems concept is a comprehensive security system from a single source that exactly meets these requirements and can be tailored exactly to our customers' individual needs".

Find more information here: http://www.kontron.com/products/solutions/security. 

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Kontron at embedded world 2017:

Kontron will present numerous innovations at embedded world 2017 in Nuremberg. The Augsburg based Embedded expert will give visitors the opportunity to experience live its broad product portfolio at the Kontron stand in Hall 1, Booth 478. We are happy to arrange for individual meetings with Kontron experts on the current product portfolio and Embedded trends such as Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), Embedded Security, and Embedded Computing in Industry 4.0 contexts. Please use kontron@vibrio.de or +49 89 32151 751 to schedule a meeting.

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About Kontron:

Kontron, a global leader in embedded computing technology and a pioneer in secure IoT platform solutions, provides a combined portfolio of hardware, middleware and services. With its leading-edge standard products and solution ready platforms, Kontron enables new technologies and applications across multiple industries. As a result, customers benefit from accelerated time-to-market, reduced total cost of ownership, product longevity and the best overall application with the highest reliability in embedded technology. Kontron is a listed company. Its shares are traded in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on other exchanges under the symbol “KBC”. For more information, please visit: www.kontron.com

For further information please contact:

Alexandra Habekost
Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Kontron AG
Tel: +49 (0) 821 4086 114
alexandra.habekost@kontron.com

Kontron is a trademark or registered trademark of Kontron AG. Intel, Intel Core, Intel Atom, Xeon, Pentium and Celeron are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the US and/or other countries. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks or copyrights by their respective owners and are recognized.