Gartner predicts 21 billion IoT devices will be in the market by 2020 and the burgeoning IoT market will be sensitive to security as the sheer number of connected devices means more attack vectors and more possibilities for hackers. According to Parks Associates, 40% of consumers are concerned with the safety and security of their smart home devices, especially door locks and access control systems.
Z-Wave has long been recognized for its robust AES 128 encryption, adopted by all major residential lock manufacturers and virtually all monitored security companies in the US. Z-Wave's new S2 framework takes security to new levels of impenetrability by securing communication not just locally for home-based devices but also in the gateway which is accessed from the cloud. Z-Wave completely removes the vulnerability of the network during inclusion by requiring a QR code or a pin-code on the device itself. With S2, attacks such as man in the middle and brute force are rendered powerless by the implementation of Industry-wide accepted secure key exchange using Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH). For customers implementing IoT Cloud solutions and connecting Z-Wave to the other IP devices, the Z/IP Gateway enables tunneling all Z/IP traffic through a secure TLS 1.1 tunnel, eliminating cloud vulnerability.
"With leading market share in smart security panels and over 50 million devices in the IoT market today, we felt we had a responsibility to put extensive resources into arming Z-Wave devices with the most secure communication framework possible," said Raoul Wijgergangs, vice president Z-Wave IoT business unit at Sigma Designs. "The need for technology providers to take a leadership role in IoT security exists in a big way, and Sigma is embracing that role."
Key Features of Z-Wave security:
- Strong AES 128
- Industry-wide accepted secure key exchange using Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH)
- Authenticated deployments removes "man-in-the-middle" attack vector
- Tunneling all Z/IP traffic through a secure TLS 1.1 tunnel eliminates cloud vulnerability
In addition to the quantum leap in security, the new 6.7 SDK also optimizes battery life, improves reliability and reduces latency by using a single command structure replacing the previous 3-step process. As with all upgrades to the Z-Wave protocol, it will be backwards compatible with every device in the existing Z-Wave ecosystem, allowing all earlier protocol versions to act as repeaters in the network.
"In addition to our internal work, we have submitted the S2 framework to the rigorous scrutiny of third party security advisors and we will continue to invite ongoing challenges," continued Wijgergangs, vice president Z-Wave IoT business unit at Sigma Designs. "The combination of rock-solid interoperable technology with world class security will continue to remove barriers and encourage adoption in this growing IoT environment."
The new SDK will be available in Beta in February.
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About Z-Wave
Z-Wave technology is an open internationally recognized ITU standard (G.9959). It is the leading wireless home control technology in the market today, with over 1500 certified interoperable products worldwide. Represented by the Z-Wave Alliance, and supported by more than 375 companies around the world, the standard is a key enabler of smart living solutions for home safety and security, energy, hospitality, office and light commercial applications.
Z-Wave® is a registered trade mark of Sigma Designs and its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
About Sigma Designs
Sigma Designs, Inc. (
Sigma Designs, Secure Media Processor, and the Sigma Designs logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Sigma Designs, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are believed to be trademarks of their respective owners.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about the anticipated features and benefits of Sigma's products and solutions with respect to the Z-Wave development kit and product line. Actual results may vary materially due to a number of factors including, but not limited to, consumer and customer acceptance of the updates and enhancements to the Z-Wave development kit, Sigma's ability to deploy and achieve market acceptance for Sigma's products in its target markets, including the IoT market, the ability of Version 6.7 of the Z-Wave development kit to compete with other technologies or products in these markets, as well as other risks that are detailed from time to time in Sigma's SEC reports, including its report on Form 10-Q filed December 9, 2015.Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Sigma undertakes no obligation to publicly release or otherwise disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made as a result of events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Press Contacts: Mary Miller Sigma Designs +1-510-897-1069 Mary_Miller@sigmadesigns.com
