Cryptography Research, a division of Rambus, has announced it has signed a license agreement with a major smartphone and tablet manufacturer for the use of CRI's differential power analysis (DPA) countermeasures patents. Under the agreement, ongoing royalties will be paid for the use of CRI's patented innovations. Specific terms of the agreement and disclosure of the manufacturer are confidential.

"Consumers increasingly rely on their smartphones and tablets to perform financial transactions, store personal data and access premium content. Our DPA countermeasures technology is a key part of securing mobile devices to safeguard the data of consumers and content providers worldwide,” said Paul Kocher, president and chief scientist of Cryptography Research.

Differential Power Analysis (DPA) is a form of attack that involves monitoring variations in electrical power consumption of a target device and then uses advanced statistical methods to derive cryptographic keys or other secrets. Strong countermeasures to DPA are important for securing mobile devices, bank cards, pay television systems, secure identity products, secure storage media, and other electronic systems and components. Many of the world's leading security standards include requirements that devices be protected against DPA and related attacks.

While the actual licensee of the technologies is unclear, there are not a lot of companies who make both smartphones and tablets. In particular, they are Apple, HTC, Motorola, Samsung and a few others.

Cryptography Research has developed a portfolio of more than 55 patents covering countermeasures to DPA attacks, with additional patent applications pending worldwide.

Tags: Rambus, Cryptography Research, Apple, Samsung, HTC