Working Together for Stronger Security
Thistle Technologies, a leader in specialized security solutions for embedded devices, and Grinn, a premier provider of advanced hardware and software engineering services, today announced a cooperation aimed at simplifying and strengthening security for the next generation of Edge AI devices.
As the deployment of Artificial Intelligence at the edge grows, so does the surface area for potential cyberattacks. Securing these devices is no longer a luxury but a fundamental requirement. The partnership between Thistle and Grinn addresses this challenge head-on by providing developers with a seamless, integrated path to implement high-level security features without slowing down their development cycles.
Thistle Technologies is known for its Secure / Verified Boot solution, which ensures that devices only run digitally signed, authenticated firmware. By validating code at startup, it prevents unauthorized modifications and protects systems against a wide range of attacks. Through this cooperation, that capability is now tightly integrated with Grinn’s hardware ecosystem.
The fruits of this collaboration are available today for the Grinn GenioBoard - Edge AI SBC. Based on the powerful MediaTek Genio 510/700 processor, the Grinn GenioBoard is designed for demanding AI applications, ranging from smart retail to industrial automation.
Hardware-Rooted Security for Edge AI
The integration embeds the Infineon OPTIGA™ Trust M directly on the Grinn GenioBoard, establishing a hardware-based root of trust. This Secure Element (SE) performs cryptographic operations and protects sensitive keys within a tamper-resistant environment.
By tightly integrating with Thistle Technologies software stack, the solution enables seamless authentication and verification of AI models on Edge AI devices. This architecture simplifies the implementation of crucial security capabilities such as secured boot and secured firmware updates, allowing developers to build trusted, production-grade Edge AI systems with minimal complexity.
"Our customers are building sophisticated AI tools that operate in the real world, where security is paramount," said Robert Otręba, CEO at Grinn. "Cooperating with Thistle Technologies allows us to offer a 'security-first' development platform. The Grinn GenioBoard, coupled with Thistle’s expertise and the onboard Infineon OPTIGA™ Trust M, provides a professional-grade environment for bringing secure Edge AI products to market faster."
“Security at the edge has to start from the very first instruction a device executes. By working with Grinn, we’re making it easier for developers to build systems that are secure by design, not as an afterthought. Combining our Secure / Verified Boot with hardware-backed trust like Infineon OPTIGA™ Trust M gives customers a strong, practical foundation for protecting their devices and their edge AI models in the field.” – said Raul Vergara, Chief Revenue Officer at Thistle Technologies.
"With OPTIGATM Trust M, we provide a robust foundation to protect Edge AI devices and AI models against emerging threats. It addresses key challenges such as verifying AI model authenticity, preventing tampering and IP theft and simplifying secured model updates at scale, across fleets of devices.
By establishing a hardware-based root of trust, OPTIGATM Trust M enables secure storage and management of cryptographic keys along with strong device and model authentication. It is the perfect fit to future-proof AI infrastructures, from edge to cloud, enabling the integrity and confidentiality of both models and devices." says Vijayaraghavan Narayanan, Senior Director and Head of “Edge ID & Authentication” at Infineon Technologies.
Built for Compliance and Protection
This integration allows developers to:
· Ensure only authenticated firmware runs on the device
· Protect sensitive credentials and cryptographic keys
· Strengthen resistance against local and remote attacks
· Simplify compliance with modern security requirements
This cooperation also comes at a time when new regulations such as the Cyber Resilience Act are raising expectations for built-in device security, making robust, hardware-backed protection and secure boot mechanisms increasingly essential for products entering the European market.
About Thistle Technologies
Thistle Technologies provides a security infrastructure for embedded device manufacturers. Their platform simplifies the implementation of complex security features, including authenticated updates, fail-safe mechanisms, and verified boot, helping companies protect their devices and users from modern threats.
Learn more: https://thistle.tech/
Kateryna Kozakova
