EXEIN FOR semiconductors
Smart semiconductors secured from within.
Exein’s embedded security systems make it simple for semiconductor manufacturers to offer robust protection without complex third-party integrations.
Securing the future of connected semiconductors
Exein embeds intelligent security directly into the firmware of your semiconductors, delivering real-time threat detection, anomaly response, and compliance-ready protection at the hardware level.
the negative impact to revenue suffered by MKS Instruments from a ransomware attack
the global average cost of a data breach
Smart security for smart semiconductors
Security at all levels
Zero downtime
Smart growth, secured
case studies
FAQ
From integration to incident response, explore common questions and how Exein helps secure what matters.
What are semiconductors, and why are they essential?
Semiconductors are materials that have electrical conductivity between conductors and insulators. This unique property allows them to control and amplify electrical signals, making them foundational to modern electronics.
They are essential because they power almost every digital device, including:
- Microprocessors in computers, smartphones, and embedded systems.
- Memory chips that store data.
- Sensors and power controllers in industrial, automotive, and medical equipment.
- AI accelerators and communication modules in cloud and edge devices.
Without semiconductors, technologies like robotics, IoT, autonomous vehicles, and advanced cybersecurity systems would not function. They are the backbone of the digital economy.
Why is cybersecurity increasingly critical in the semiconductor sector?
Cybersecurity in semiconductors matters now more than ever due to:
- Supply chain exposure: Chips pass through multiple manufacturers; tampering can infect entire ecosystems.
- Intellectual property theft: Design blueprints and manufacturing processes are high-value targets.
- Hardware trojans: Malicious circuits can be embedded at the fabrication stage.
- Safety concerns: Compromised chips in critical systems (e.g., automotive, medical) pose physical and national security risks.
- Regulatory pressure: Governments enforce strict controls on strategic technologies.
What key regulations and standards apply to semiconductor cybersecurity?
Semiconductor companies must meet several cybersecurity standards to ensure secure design, production, and supply chain operations. In Europe, the main frameworks include:
- EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA): Requires hardware to follow secure-by-design practices and ongoing vulnerability management.
- NIS2 Directive: Mandates risk controls and incident reporting for essential digital and industrial sectors.
- EU Chips Act: Supports secure and resilient semiconductor supply chains in Europe.
- ISO/IEC 27001: A global standard for managing information security in chip design and operations.
- EU AI Act (upcoming): Applies to chips used in high-risk AI systems, with strong cybersecurity and transparency requirements.
- NIST SP 800 series (U.S.): Offers detailed security guidelines for chipmakers working with government or critical infrastructure.
- IEC 62443: Focuses on cybersecurity for industrial automation and control systems, including semiconductors used in OT environments.
What can semiconductor firms implement to safeguard their products?
Semiconductor manufacturers can improve security with the following layered approach:
- Secure-by-design architecture: Embed security from chip design through fabrication.
- Design-for-trust strategies: Include features like Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) and anti-tamper circuits.
- Supply-chain assurances: Vet partners, conduct audits, and ensure secure shipping/tracking of wafers.
- Firmware protection: Digitally sign BIOS and bootloaders to prevent unauthorized modifications.
- Hardware validation: Use side-channel attack testing, formal verification, and penetration testing.
- Continuous monitoring: Check for anomalies across supply chain logs, network traffic, and chip behavior.
- Employee awareness and collaboration: Educate staff across R&D, manufacturing, and IT on cybersecurity best practices.