Certicom Launches New Product for Fabless Semiconductor Designers to Prevent Gray Market Chip Theft

Certicom Security for Silicon Design Protection combines multi-stage authentication and key generation to protect IP and secure offshore manufacturing process

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – July 24, 2006 – Today, Certicom Corp. (TSX: CIC) launched Certicom® Security for Silicon Design Protection™ to help fabless semiconductor designers protect proprietary chip designs and reduce the growing problem of illicit surplus chip manufacturing for the gray market.

Certicom Security for Silicon Design Protection combines the original software-based Certicom® KeyInject™ system with a new hardware IP core to enforce security policies throughout the silicon manufacturing process. If third-party manufacturers produce chips for sale in the gray market, Certicom’s security solution renders the counterfeit silicon unusable while ensuring that legitimately produced chips work as intended.

Certicom KeyInject software adds cryptographic keying material to the silicon at various stages of the chip production process. These keys are used to “unlock” the IP core, which is added to the chip design. If all of the keys are not used, i.e. a stage of the legitimate process has been bypassed, the chip will not be usable. Certicom Security for Silicon Design Protection also enables fabless design companies to track key usage by metering the keys and producing an audit trail for each sub-contractor.

“Gray market production is one of most challenging issues facing the electronics industry today. Certicom Security for Silicon Design Protection will help alleviate that problem and make low-cost silicon foundries as reliable as high-priced alternatives,” said Jim Alfred, director of product management at Certicom. “Certicom’s new product creates a multi-level authentication process that with even one missed step will result in a crippled and unusable chip. It works on the same basis as a two-key safety deposit box lock. The box won’t open if you don’t have all of the keys.”

Benefits of Certicom Security for Silicon Design Protection:

• Protects IP and eliminates gray market threats through strong security software and hardware system
• Provides ability to track and audit keying material to maintain better control over production process
• Increases bottom-line profitability by providing a secure system for outsourcing manufacturing process

Certicom Security for Silicon Design Protection is available this quarter and is priced depending on the number of sites. For more information visit: www.certicom.com/fabless

About Certicom
Certicom protects the value of your content, applications and devices with government-approved security. Adopted by the National Security Agency (NSA) for classified and sensitive but unclassified government communications, Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) provides the most security per bit of any known public-key scheme. As the undisputed leader in ECC, Certicom security offerings are currently licensed to more than 300 customers including General Dynamics, Motorola, Oracle, Research In Motion and Unisys. Founded in 1985, Certicom's corporate offices are in Mississauga, ON, Canada with worldwide sales headquarters in Reston, VA and offices in the US, Canada and Europe. Visit www.certicom.com