Tech Bytes: TRW to Use Certicom Elliptic Curve Encryption

Certicom Corp. said it has licensed its Security Builder cryptographic tool kit to TRW Inc. for use in its openlec electronic data interchange systems.

Certicom, which is championing the elliptic curve method of computing encryption algorithms, said TRW will initially use its tool kit to create a public key infrastructure for an Asian electronic commerce network.

On top of such previously announced partners as Motorola Inc., smart card manufacturer Schlumberger, and Hewlett-Packard Co.'s Verifone unit, the TRW signing adds further credibility to Certicom's efforts to sell its Certicom Elliptic Curve Engine, or CE2. The method requires less computer capacity than conventional encryption systems based on RSA Data Security Inc.'s technology, but some critics warn that elliptic curve has not been put through sufficient stress testing.

"TRW is a leader is systems engineering and integration and we are pleased it has chosen Security Builder," said Philip C. Deck, president of Certicom, which is based in Canada and has a U.S. office in San Mateo.