Texas Instruments Releases Security Solution for Next-Generation Phones

Texas Instruments (www.ti.com/sc/omap) announced this week that it will be offering a new wireless security library, which when combined with TI's programmable digital signal processor (DSP)-based OMAP platform, will provide wireless carriers and handset manufacturers a range of options to secure next generation mobile commerce, downloadable and streaming content, interactive banking, mobile office and wireless networking.

TI states that it plans to leverage both hardware and software to offer handset manufacturers customized solutions to meet all security issues including protecting the data when in transit or distributed to handsets by network servers.

The release of a security solution form the OMAP platform is good news for companies planning to launch wireless multimedia initiatives, as the platform has become the de facto standard for 2.5G and 3G handsets. Nokia, Ericsson, Sony, Sendo and HTC have selected the platform.

TI's security library combines technology from TI and with third-party technology from SafeNet, NTRU, WhiteCell, SnapShield and AuthenTec. Key components including memory protection, advanced public and private key encryption, virus screening, firewall protection, and fingerprint recognition will serve as the foundation of TI's library of security solutions.

WhiteCell offers technology that monitors traffic, filters and prevents inappropriate content from unwanted sources. SafeNet provides its SecureIP technology, including an advanced software and hardware cryptographic library for meeting the latest security standards and ensuring confidential data. NTRU provides an advanced public-key cryptosystem that allows carriers to deliver scalable, transparent security to the consumer at significantly lower cost. Snapshield's DSP-enhanced encryption technology protects any kind of data and streaming media from tampering or theft during transmission from the network to the handset, and AuthenTec's biometric fingerprint recognition technology ensures only authorized users can access a handset.