Smart things
Keeping pace with evolving security threats
Each day, as we navigate through the public and private spaces around us, smart locks secure our world. From the bustling Elizabeth Line in London’s underground to the iconic Milan Central Station, and China’s expansive residential complexes, one name that resonates in the realm of intelligent access management is ISEO. Established over a half-century ago, the Italian smart lock manufacturer has emerged as a global authority in high-security lock systems. Over the past five years, ISEO has embraced a strategic shift by integrating ST's technology to better address customers' dynamic security needs.
Challenge
- Secure cloud connectivity to enable remote security controls
- Build highly secure, future-proof smart locks
- Linux development environment
Solution
- Embed hardware-level security for robust threat protection
- Leverage multi-level security features in STM32 microcontrollers
- Ensure product lifecycle with ST’s 10-year longevity program
Impact
- Highly secure smart locks for offices & private homes
- Balancing strong security with customer convenience
How ISEO forges the future of smart lock security
In the year 2014, ISEO embarked on a journey to redefine the essence of door security. The vision was clear and compelling — to craft a highly secure smart handle that could be effortlessly operated with a simple smartphone. Rather than connecting doors for the sake of convenience, their ambition was to weave a fabric of enhanced security into the very core of access control.
But the stakes were high, and the risks of inadequate security posed a potential nightmare for both businesses and households alike. In addition to mechanical security threats, ISEO’s smart locks faced the critical challenge of protecting physical doors against hackers. Whether by extracting stored data or emulating readers and other devices, these would-be hackers could attempt to manipulate the hardware in the field. This challenge is what led ISEO to ST.
“
When you create new product ideas, often you run into new challenges.
ST’s readiness to support us has really made a world of difference for us.”
Marco Temporiti, R&D Software Manager, ISEO
Why ISEO migrated to the STM32 portfolio
With over 30 years of experience in the security market, ST has progressively integrated multi-level security features into its STM32 microcontroller and microprocessor offerings. This experience has solidified ISEO's trust in ST, prompting a deeper integration of ST's offerings into their operations. ISEO now harnesses ST products well beyond their initial smart handle innovation, adopting the STM32 portfolio for nearly all their security and Cloud connection needs. The extra factor? ST provides robust solutions compatible with Linux development environment.
“
Each year, we’ve consistently sourced an expanding array of new products from ST. ST’s security resources have been a decisive factor in guiding our choices.
”
Marco Temporiti, R&D Software Manager, ISEO
The key to future-proof smart locks
The main challenge ISEO faced lay in future-proofing their smart locks such that they were capable of withstanding an evolving array of security threats. STM32 microcontrollers, and more recently microprocessors, have been instrumental in achieving this goal. A prime example is the STMP32MP2. This ST microprocessor meets evolving, and increasingly stringent, cyber-protection regulations, making it an ideal choice for resilient, forward-compatible smart locks.
“
Security can be complex. ST provides a range of MCUs and MPUs that ease the certification process and even meet anticipated regulatory requirements.
”
Marco Temporiti, R&D Software Manager, ISEO
How active listening brews innovation
Since its beginnings, ISEO has experienced an incredible expansion as a company, now with a global workforce of over 1,200 employees. Still, ISEO values the personal touch and attentive ear provided by ST’s experienced team of hardware developers. This exceptional level of human interaction and support, along with the ability to engage directly with the creators of ST products, has been instrumental in ISEO’s decision to forge and maintain a strong partnership with ST.
CUSTOMER
