Trusted Chips – European Semiconductors: Cybersecurity Standardization and Certification

Semiconductors are crucial in a very broad and huge number of sectors such as communication, information technology, health care, transportation, energy and infrastructure. However, securing the tiny, intricate semiconductor chips throughout the whole value chain can be challenging. The increasing complexity involved in the design, development, manufacturing, integration, and post-deployment use of microelectronics presents new security risks and vulnerabilities. Consequentially, users of electronic devices but also manufacturers pursue secure and reliable chips.

The general objective of this project is to ensure trust and security requirements of future smart devices, systems and connectivity platforms that will have to rely on advanced electronics and will largely depend on the features of the underlying technology. Standardization will support certification of these chips for trust and security, also taking into account the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), and cover the value chain up to integration in end products.

With the ultimate goal of facilitating trusted chips standardization and certification along the supply chain, the project will develop a clear terminology for Trusted Chips and identify         

• already existing standardization with regard to Trusted Chips,
• European industry needs for semiconductor cybersecurity (security, authenticity, reliability) along the entire supply chain (design, manufacturing, user), as well as
• standardization gaps.

These topics will be discussed with industry experts in a series of workshops. Based on the outcomes of these workshops, the roadmap will be written collaboratively.

This project aims to establish a roadmap that defines common European standardization needs together with stakeholders in the semiconductor ecosystem. The roadmap is intended to provide a clear way forward strengthen the European semiconductor position and how to drive European standardization in this area.