Certicom Delivers Digital Content Protection Solution to Micronas

International Semiconductor Manufacturer Selects Certicom KeyInject For Secure, Automated Key Management

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario -- May 14, 2008 -- Certicom Corp. (TSX: CIC) today announced that Micronas (SWX Swiss Exchange: MASN), a leading supplier of innovative application-specific IC system solutions for automotive and consumer electronics, has licensed Certicom’s KeyInject® solution to secure the high-definition digital content protection (HDCP) cryptographic keys that are embedded into its silicon chips for use in consumer electronics.

HDCP is an industry-standard scheme designed to protect high-definition content during transmission from the source device to a display device, like an HDTV or projector.  Cryptographic keys are used to encrypt the content and also authenticate the display device during this process, thereby preventing eavesdropping of high definition media and mid-transmission attacks.

Under HDCP licensing agreements, manufacturers can face substantial fines in the form of liquidated damages if just one key is lost during the manufacturing and assembly process.  Companies that do not use an automated system to send keys to outsourced contract factories are vulnerable to human errors that result in key loss or misuse and may trigger licensing violations and direct monetary loss.

To remedy this, semiconductor companies that manufacture devices for consumer electronics are seeking to use secure and automated solutions in their manufacturing process that will protect their licensed keys, even when those keys are outsourced to manufacturing sites globally.  To ensure the security of its products, Micronas has chosen Certicom KeyInject to protect their highly valuable HDCP keys during the chip manufacturing process.  Micronas needed a solution that not only controlled their keys but also ensured that key inventories are always available to their contract manufacturing plants.

“Knowing the potential penalties for mismanaged or dropped keys, conducting these processes manually is not an option,” said Stefan Rössel, Director IT at Micronas.  “Certicom’s solution is not only ideal as an automated process, but also as a trusted and proven source of dependable security and key management operations.”

Certicom’s KeyInject system also provides a key management and audit trail so that companies can account for the keys used during manufacturing and also monitor them to detect any irregular usage.

“Using our KeyInject system, Micronas is able to deliver their chip solutions for consumer electronics like high-definition TVs to market much faster,” said Brian Neill, Certicom product manager.  “Having a major international customer like Micronas validates the importance of using an automated key injection system from a trusted cryptography supplier, especially given the realities of today’s world of globally outsourced manufacturing.”

About Certicom KeyInject for HDCP™
The world’s leading chip manufacturers already rely on Certicom KeyInject technology to automate key logistics, diminish liability, improve tracking, and reduce costs relating to offshore chip manufacturing and silicon testing. More than any other form of serialized data, keys are difficult to track. Especially given the $8 million liability for HDCP licensees, companies are re-evaluating whether an in-house key management system provides sufficient protection. Not only does building a reasonably secure tracking system consume valuable NRE and operations capacity, most still include manual processes like FTP sites and email that make costly mistakes more likely than a fully automated solution that is tightly integrated with existing systems.

About Micronas
Micronas (SWX Swiss Exchange: MASN), a semiconductor designer and manufacturer with worldwide operations, is a leading supplier of cutting-edge IC and sensor system solutions for consumer and automotive electronics. As a market leader in innovative global TV system solutions, Micronas leverages its expertise into new markets emerging through the digitization of audio and video content. Micronas also offers a variety of microcontrollers and Hall-sensors for automotive and industrial applications, such as car dashboard, body control, as well as motor management and comfort functions.

Micronas serves all major consumer and automotive electronics customers worldwide, many of them in continuous partnerships seeking joint success. While the holding company is headquartered in Zurich (Switzerland), operational headquarters are based in Freiburg (Germany). Currently, the Micronas Group employs around 2000 people. In 2007 it generated CHF 713/USD 596/EUR 433 million in sales. For more information on Micronas and its products, please visit www.micronas.com.

About Certicom
Certicom protects the value of content, applications and devices with government-approved security. Adopted by the National Security Agency (NSA) for government communications, Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) provides the most security per bit of any known public-key scheme. As the global 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, Ontario, Canada with worldwide sales and marketing headquarters in Reston, Virginia and offices in the U.S., Canada, Europe and China.  Visit www.certicom.com.

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