Siemens joins CHERI Alliance to boost cybersecurity in EDA sector
Siemens Digital Industries Software's Electronic Design Automation segment has joined the CHERI Alliance to support cybersecurity improvements in the EDA industry.
The CHERI Alliance is a global consortium that brings together a variety of stakeholders, including businesses, academic institutions, individuals, government agencies and industrial associations, who are committed to promoting and enabling Capability Hardware Enhanced RISC Instructions (CHERI) technology. CHERI is a hardware-enforced solution designed to prevent memory safety vulnerabilities, which are implicated in many cyberattacks.
Siemens Digital Industries Software's participation is expected to strengthen the alliance's ability to progress the adoption of CHERI technology across the digital landscape. The alliance's collaborative activities aim to enhance cybersecurity standards and support the integration of advanced security technologies into industry workflows.
Siemens' role
Siemens brings experience and resources from its Electronic Design Automation segment, which is anticipated to provide momentum in efforts to implement CHERI technology more broadly. The company's membership aligns with the alliance's focus on developing safer and more efficient technological solutions for processing systems.
Abhi Kolpekwar, Vice President and General Manager of Digital Verification Technologies at Siemens Digital Industries Software, stated, "Joining the CHERI Alliance is an exciting opportunity for Siemens to harness cutting-edge advancements in cybersecurity. We are eager to collaborate with other leading organizations within the alliance to drive the adoption of CHERI technology across industries. This transition from groundbreaking research to practical industry applications is set to boost the standards of secure and efficient computing."
CHERI technology has undergone more than a decade of research and development. The alliance's efforts and Siemens' involvement are intended to support the transition from research to commercial and industrial application, improving the security of digital systems by integrating hardware memory safety measures at the core of processors.
Industry collaboration
The CHERI Alliance operates through dedicated working groups that focus on promoting the benefits of CHERI, as well as providing recommendations, developing open-source software, and producing technical documentation. These activities are aimed at accelerating product development and supporting developers working to integrate CHERI technology into their projects.
Mike Eftimakis, Founding Director of the CHERI Alliance, commented, "We are thrilled to welcome Siemens on board. Their industry expertise, global reach and innovative approach will be invaluable as we help developers adopt CHERI technology. Developed through 15 years of pioneering research, this technology is now ready for integration into industry applications to significantly enhance their cybersecurity."
The alliance's collaborative approach is a key part of its mission to raise awareness of hardware-enforced security techniques within the industry. By engaging a broad network of participants, the organisation aims to empower developers and facilitate the widespread adoption of CHERI, thereby addressing common vulnerabilities that underpin many cyber threats.
Shared commitment
Both Siemens and the alliance see the collaboration as a significant step in advancing security within digital industry sectors. The partnership is also intended to show a shared commitment to applying emerging technology solutions to persistent cybersecurity challenges in technology infrastructure.
The CHERI Alliance continues to support industry adoption of security-focused processor technologies through its various initiatives, working to disseminate knowledge and tools that help address the root causes of many cyberattacks. The arrival of Siemens as a member is expected to give the ongoing efforts a broader reach within the EDA and technology sectors.
