Axiado introduced the AX3000 and AX2000 trusted control/compute units (TCUs), a fully integrated AI-driven hardware security platform solutions designed to help detect cybersecurity and ransomware attacks on next-generation servers and infrastructure elements in cloud datacenters, 5G networks, and network switches.
Axiado’s TCU comes to market at a time when cybercrime and ransomware attacks are skyrocketing. Estimates suggest in 2022 a ransomware attack took place successfully every 40 seconds, with an attempt nearly every 11 seconds, according to DataProt.
Residing in the lowest layer of the hardware stack and integrating all security functions within a single SoC or module, the Axiado TCU effectively acts as a “last line of defense,” even when all other network functions have been compromised. The TCU detects and stops ongoing attacks and recovers the system from an attack by isolating it from the network.
The Axiado AX3000/AX2000 TCUs represent a new category of forensic-enabled cybersecurity processors that are designed to enhance existing Zero-Trust models. TCUs combine silicon, AI and data collection, and software into a compact, power-efficient SoC with unique AI functionality explicitly designed for security.
The single-chip solution is rooted in real-time and proactive AI with pre-emptive threat detection and comprehensive protection, provided by a dedicated coprocessor that allows manufacturers to build safe, secure, and resilient solutions by design and default.
The TCU platform has capabilities never available before. Housed in a 23 x 23 BGA SoC and drawing under 5W, the TCU features a distributed hardware security manager with anti-tamper and anti-counterfeit hardware, and a control/management plane SmartNIC network interface controller that includes platform and tenant virtualization.
It also offers protection from ransomware and side-channel attacks, such as differential power analysis, voltage glitching and clock manipulation that are used to extract cryptographic keys.
The TCU relies extensively on AI-based real-time threat mitigation with forensic-enabled hardware fingerprints as well as platform monitoring and optimization (clocks/voltages/temp) using AI and machine learning. The SoC includes Root of Trust (RoT), a baseboard management controller (BMC), a trusted platform module (TPM), a hardware security module, SmartNIC, firewall, and AI and machine learning.
“This is a major step forward in our vision to provide comprehensive, AI-driven platform security in a single-chip SoC,” said Gopi Sirineni, CEO, Axiado. “Our TCU is a game changer that delivers a lower cost of ownership than any other alternative in the market. We look forward to collaborating with ODMs/OEMs, cloud service providers, and the entire security ecosystem to help make the world’s digital infrastructure safer and more secure.”
“There are multiple market pressure points we are grappling with when it comes to cloud computing,” said Patrick Moorhead, CEO and Chief Analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy. “Finding ways to protect against the endemic ransomware trend, the move towards modular server systems as driven by OCP and the natural integration of functions in silicon SOCs sets us up for a new wave of innovation in silicon and systems. I believe, Axiado is well positioned to shine in the new world that takes zero trust security to the next level.”
“We are very pleased to have Axiado actively participate in the Open Compute Project (OCP) Community by taking the OCP approved Datacenter Secure Control Module Specification (DC-SCM) and build a product compliant with this specification,” said George Tchaparian, CEO, OCP. “Axiado’s innovative security platform is a perfect example of how OCP’s open specifications make hyperscale DC operator-led innovation available to all. Similarly, adopters from all corners of the market can now easily deploy OCP’s DC-SCM standard.”
– Help Net Security