AMD and Wave Systems Corp. Announce Alliance to Integrate Advanced Security Functions for Commercial and Consumer Computing

Strategic Insights -

AMD and Wave Systems Corp., a leading provider of electronic commerce, content distribution, and security services, have announced a strategic alliance to integrate new security functions for commercial and consumer computing. These advanced functions will enable personal computers and emerging information access devices to assume a key new role for secure delivery of content, such as music and video, as well as a full range of e-commerce transactions. The alliance aims to provide a secure environment for the protection of digital Internet content delivered to both the home and office.

Key Takeaways:

  • AMD and Wave Systems Corp. will jointly work to incorporate Wave's Trusted Client architecture as a core component of PC motherboards and other platforms.
  • The integrated technology will add new functionality, including new user privacy options, distributed e-commerce and transaction capability, and a programmable security hardware infrastructure.
  • The alliance will utilize the Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA) specification as a building block for an open programmable Trusted Client Architecture.
  • The EMBASSY System, a robust platform capable of flexibly supporting a wide range of security and privacy standards, will be used as a basis for the Trusted Client architecture.
  • AMD will include the new Trusted Client architecture in some commercial and consumer motherboard reference designs, enabling PC manufacturers to standardize and deploy the technology.
  • The alliance aims to deliver a wide range of new content and services to users, including rent-to-own, pay-per-view, and free trials of full-function software, games, music, and videos.
  • Businesses will benefit from enhanced security in the use of emerging net-based tools, such as ASP software delivery.
  • The alliance is a key step in Wave Systems Corp.'s strategy to deploy a network of Trusted Client devices.

Statistics:

  • AMD produces processors, including the AMD-K6 and AMD Athlon product families, which are used in over 50% of notebook computers sold in the retail market to consumers and small businesses.
  • AMD had revenues of $2.9 billion in 1999.
  • Wave Systems Corp. has a comprehensive line of trusted client co-processor systems, with embedded technology in PC hardware and peripherals, set-top boxes, and other devices.
  • The EMBASSY System is a robust platform capable of flexibly supporting a wide range of security and privacy standards.
  • The alliance will utilize the TCPA specification, which is an industry alliance focused on hardware and software specifications to enhance security and trust of the PC platform.

Sources:

  • Business Wire, "AMD and Wave Systems Corp. Announce Alliance to Integrate Advanced Security Functions for Commercial and Consumer Computing" (March 27, 2000)
  • Wave Systems Corp. Press Release, "Wave Systems Corp. and AMD Announce Alliance to Integrate Advanced Security Functions for Commercial and Consumer Computing" (March 27, 2000)
  • AMD Press Release, "AMD and Wave Systems Corp. Announce Alliance to Integrate Advanced Security Functions for Commercial and Consumer Computing" (March 27, 2000)