10 companies to test next generation cybersecurity technologies from the University of Cambridge and Arm

It is estimated that if implemented, this cybersecurity technology could help stop around two thirds of hacks, cyber attacks and data breaches. The new technology has been co-developed by University of Cambridge researchers (with colleagues at SRI International) in collaboration with Arm.

The Cambridge-SRI research team has redesigned the architecture of a computer’s central processing unit – its brain – to make it less vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches. This new architecture is called CHERI.

Arm has been collaborating with the Cambridge researchers to integrate CHERI into the Arm^® architecture since 2014 and has this year launched a prototype system on chip and demonstrator board, containing the prototype architecture, known as Morello. These Morello boards are now being made available to industry for testing.

The Technology Access Programme is part of Digital Security by Design: an initiative supported by the UK government to transform digital technology and create a more resilient, and secure foundation for a safer future. Digital Security by Design is supported by a consortium of world-leading technology industry partners, academics and research institutions, including Arm, University of Cambridge, Google, Thales, University of Edinburgh, Hewlett Packard, University of Oxford, Innovate UK, Microsoft, University of Manchester, Linaro, King’s College London and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

For six months participating companies will have access to the CHERI-enabled Morello prototype board, technical guides and support. The chosen UK-based companies can test and evaluate these technologies within their own businesses and provide findings back to the programme that could influence the design of future, more secure computer systems.

These companies will have access to the technologies as well as up to £15,000 in funding…