CommScope partners with STMicroelectronics to enable secure and easy Matter configuration of IoT devices

Integrated solution of CommScope’s PKIWorks platform and STM32WB wireless microcontroller provides IoT security for Matter device development

Shanghai, China, November 16 , 2023 - CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) , the world 's leading provider of network connectivity solutions , and STMicroelectronics (New York), a world-leading semiconductor company serving multiple electronic applications Stock Exchange: STM) recently announced the integration of CommScope’s PKIWorks™ IoT security platform with STMicroelectronics’ widely adopted STM32WB series of microcontrollers (MCUs). The integrated solution provides device manufacturers with a turnkey solution to develop IoT devices that comply with the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) Matter security standard.

The solution not only reduces costs and time for IoT device manufacturers, but also simplifies the development and configuration of manufacturing-secure Matter device credentials. With this integration, devices can be debugged at the MCU level without developer intervention. The collaboration combines the CommScope Sentry™ team’s 35 years of experience in securely integrating encryption keys and digital certificates in high-volume device manufacturing with ST’s leadership in microcontrollers and their development ecosystem.

Nathalie Vallespin, STM32 Connectivity Product Line Manager at STMicroelectronics, said: “As an enabler of CSA, STMicroelectronics is committed to making the development of Matter seamless for all device manufacturers. We are number one in general-purpose microcontrollers and in secure elements. Our extensive expertise in the field allows us to combine a deep understanding of the challenges faced by equipment manufacturers with an in-depth knowledge of Matter to create unique collaborations, like this one with CommScope. An easy and secure credential provisioning process that accelerates adoption of Matter applications.”

"By integrating the CommScope Sentry PKIWorks platform with STMicroelectronics' popular MCU platform, we are providing customers with a turnkey solution to ease the challenges of adopting Matter applications," said Bart Giordano, president of CommScope Networking, Smart Cellular and Security Solutions. challenges while addressing complexity, scale and cost issues. CommScope and STMicroelectronics have a long-standing partnership and are industry leaders with strong expertise in digital security, semiconductor solutions and equipment manufacturing. Decades of experience enable us to easily meet the growing demand for new Matter IoT devices.”

About PKIWorks , STM32WB and Matter

The PKIWorks  platform is a secure and flexible credential configuration and management platform that has experienced decades of development, experience with billions of device credentials, and continues to improve along the way. The platform is now optimized for the creation and configuration of Matter device credentials , providing all IoT device manufacturers with a fast track to delivering security and interoperability to the thriving Matter ecosystem. The PKIWorks platform leverages CommScope's expertise in configuring clients for device credential installation, particularly on resource-constrained IoT devices. CommScope client supports multiple STM32 MCUs and STSAFE-A. CommScope recently integrated this lightweight configuration client with the STM32WB55 microcontroller, an MCU used in IoT device development and STMicroelectronics’ microcontroller of choice for Matter devices.

Matter is a new unified standard for smart home device interoperability and security. The specification and certification program, to be published in October 2022, is the result of collaboration between more than 600 technology companies with the support of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). Matter brings interoperability to smart home devices while improving and standardizing security for vendors and the IoT ecosystem. It also provides consumers with a certification mark that shows smart devices work reliably together and are safe.

Key features of PKIWorks

• The PKIWorks platform can generate more than 30 billion device credentials every year and can be expanded to larger capacities, laying a solid foundation for future expansion.

• The platform uses the CSA-approved Root of Trust and CommScope Product Certification Authority (PAA) to generate Matter device credentials for numerous IoT manufacturers and service providers.

• The PKIWorks configuration client can install various device credentials to STM32 and STSAFE-A, including the STM32WB55 microcontroller designed for Matter devices.

• The STM32WB55 Matter SDK integration enables Matter debugging without requiring additional integration work by device manufacturers.

• PKIWorks solutions include factory and OTA configurations, providing Device Authentication Certificates (DACs) and Node Operations Certificates (NOCs) to support the security lifecycle of Matter devices.

Device manufacturers designing with STM32 and STSAFE-A can use PKIWorks services. CommScope is a member of the STMicroelectronics Authorized Partner Program. CommScope's Sentry provides integrated solutions that greatly simplify product development and accelerate product launch by simplifying the configuration of device credentials during the manufacturing process. The STM32WB with PKIWorks client is available now and is available in multiple configurations to meet the different manufacturing environment needs of IoT device vendors.