cybersecurity

Q3 2025 was packed with activity. From finalizing the Standards program for SEMICON West, to organizing the event’s corresponding Global Standards Summit (GSS), the Standards team is excited to share its most recent quarterly developments.On Tuesday, October 7, leaders from across the industry convened in Phoenix, Arizona, for the second annual GSS. This half-day summit focused on future standardization needs for supply chain traceability and environmental sustainability. In addition, the Standards team conducted two workshops at SEMICON West. The first, SEMI Liquid Chemicals Analytical Workshop, detailed recent advances in analytical methodology and instrumentation related to particle measurement, trace metals, and organics in liquid chemicals. The second, Enhancing Voltage Sag Immunity: SEMI F47 Standards Updates Insights Workshop, offered a forum for sharing improvements to SEMI Standard F47 to further enhance tool performance and reliability. Finally, Q3 saw the official introduction of SEMI Standards T26 and E195. SEMI T26-0925, Specification for Electronic Supply Chain Traceability Using Distributed Ledger Technology, will be crucial for improving security and transparency for the industry’s supply chain. Additionally, SEMI E195-0925 is now available for purchase. This standard, Test Method Using Adhesive Replacement Substrates to Assess Particulate Surface Contamination on Critical Chamber Components, offers a testing approach for measuring the ISO 14644-9 cleanliness of a critical chamber component.To participate in upcoming standard developments, learn more about becoming a member of the SEMI International Standards Program. Global Standards Summit The SEMI GSS made its North American debut at this year’s SEMICON West in Phoenix. Building on its inaugural event at SEMICON Japan 2024, GSS is a strategic forum dedicated to creating an industry-wide standardization roadmap for the next three and seven-year benchmarks. The 2025 GSS continued conversations from SEMICON Japan on environmental sustainability, while expanding its program to include supply chain traceability. As geopolitical tensions, mounting cybersecurity threats, and rising technological demands continue testing the limits of the industry’s supply chain, the need for global standardization is becoming increasingly apparent. The 2025 GSS program addressed these concerns and others across multiple sessions, offering insight on how these challenges are being addressed in the industry while highlighting critical areas still in need for standards development. Key outcomes from the GSS program include: Addressing data sharing across multiple supply chain tiers while protecting IP rights and a call for harmonization across standards. The presentation by Randy Hall from the Provenance Chain Network, offered approaches on how data owners can share information with authorized users without compromising sensitive manufacturing details. While there are standards gaps that hinder broader adoption, there is opportunity to address insufficient visibility across the industry’s supply chain amid ongoing cybersecurity threats by harmonizing across existing standards implementations. An integrated modeling framework for informing energy efficiency and carbon reduction approaches. Developed by the International Roadmap for Devices and Systems (IRDS) Environmental Sustainability for Semiconductor Facilities (ESSF) team, this effort helps address demands for maintaining rapid technological progress while still meeting the industry’s ambitious sustainability goals.Standardization opportunities for improving sustainability within manufacturing facilities. Nate Monosoff from Jacobs offered insight into the decision-making tradeoffs that balance sustainability with other facility performance areas, focusing on standard methods for calculating ESG performance. GSS concluded with a panel discussion that featured leaders from AMD, FTD Solutions, Intel, The Provenance Chain Network, Jacobs, Qualcomm, and Tokyo Electron. In this session, our thought leaders discussed the fundamental importance of standardization for our industry, standards adoption, incentivizing stakeholders, and how standards can be designed to remain flexible and adaptive as technologies and regulatory landscapes evolve. SEMI Standard T26In line with the 2025 GSS theme of supply chain traceability, the Standards team is pleased to introduce SEMI T26, Specification for Electronic Supply Chain Traceability Using Distributed Ledger Technology. This standard was published in September to define a secure and decentralized traceability system that all members of the electronics supply chain can safely share. This system is based on distributed ledger technology to improve industry-wide reliability assurance.Update on Document 7130CIn February, Document 7130C was approved during the North America Metrics Technical Committee Chapter Meeting. The document officially became SEMI E195 - Test Method Using Adhesive Replacement Substrates to Assess Particulate Surface Contamination of Critical Chamber Components in September.SEMI E195 describes a quantitative method for measuring the ISO 14644-9 surface cleanliness for particle concentration of a critical chamber component (CCC), by means of an adhesive replacement substrate. The purpose of this standard is to ensure measuring and reporting consistency across CCCs or processing equipment manufacturers. To help acquaint the industry with this standard, SEMI offered a combined, in-person course on SEMI E194 and SEMI E195 during SEMICON West. The course provided fundamental information on each standard, in addition to other process approaches for improving reliability and yield.Other SEMI Updates:SEMI Preventive Maintenance Automation White Paper SEMI Korea conducted a Global PM Automation Survey in August to better understand today’s preventive maintenance readiness issues for autonomous fabs. The results will be included in SEMI’s upcoming PM Automation Whitepaper and will ultimately guide future developments for related SEMI Standards. Standardized Semiconductor Cyber Assessment FrameworkIn Q3, the Semiconductor Manufacturing Cybersecurity Consortium (SMCC) released its Standardized Semiconductor Cyber Assessment (SSCA) framework. This document provides a detailed cybersecurity readiness plan for semiconductor companies across the supply chain. Its goals are to standardize industry-wide cybersecurity risk evaluations, establish and accelerate the adoption of best practices, and improve information sharing and collaboration. Download the SSCA framework for free.New Data Standard for Equipment Edge Governance In June, Document 6938C was approved during the Taiwan Information Control Technical Committee Chapter Meeting. The document officially became SEMI E196 - Guide for Equipment Edge Data Governance. SEMI E196 provides guidance for identifying equipment data supplied by manufacturers that can be used in equipment engineering or analysis applications.New Guide to Meet IRDS Yield Table RecommendationsAt the NA Summer Meetings, Document 6601B passed TC Chapter review with technical changes and a Ratification Ballot was issued in Cycle 7-2025. Pending final Procedural Review, Guide for Meeting IRDS Yield Table Recommendations for High Purity Polymer Materials and Components Used in Ultrapure Water, will cover areas that establish criteria for allowable contribution by critical components used for UPW treatment plant and distribution system. This document will be proactively updated to manage the risks associated with the high purity polymer materials used in the semiconductor process. The biggest challenges today are metals and particles and certain organics.Flex Standards Meeting at FLEX 2026Meet the leaders of the SEMI Standards Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) Task Forces at Flex 2026, in Arizona, February 24-26, and learn about ongoing FHE standardization efforts!Standards Introduced in Q3 2025New and revised standards released in Q3. July 2025 StandardsAugust 2025 StandardsSeptember 2025 Standards Get InvolvedSEMI Standards development activities take place throughout the year in all major manufacturing regions. To participate, join the SEMI International Standards Program.SEMI Standards are available through individual download purchases or online via SEMIViews. Sign up for a 30-day SEMIViews trial.For more information, please visit the Standards website and events page. For any questions regarding SEMI Standards activities, please contact your local SEMI Standards staff. Paul Trio is Director of Standards at SEMI.

In Q2, the SEMI International Standards Program made progress on several emerging initiatives. Together, we reached a critical milestone for one of our data standards initiatives with Document 6938C recently passing Technical Committee review in mid-June 2025. Ballot 6938C, which provides guidance on how to identify manufacturing equipment data provided by the equipment supplier that can be used in equipment engineering or analysis applications, is slated to join SEMI E190 and E190.1 in providing industry-enabling data standardization.In addition, we began major revisions to SEMI Standards S2, S8, and S10. These standards govern environmental, health, and safety (EHS) considerations, equipment user fatigue and injury reduction, and equipment risk assessment and evaluation, respectively. In our recently concluded North America Standards Summer 2025 Meetings, the NA EHS Technical Committee Chapter approved a revision ballot to SEMI S10. The ballot (7169) proposed several major revisions to the SEMI S10 Safety Guideline on risk assessment which included changes to references to equipment to objects under consideration. Other changes also included the relocation of the assessment of the risk of harm to property other than the OUC to a Related Information section. Additional details are provided below.We’re eagerly preparing for this year’s SEMICON West event, taking place for the first time ever in Phoenix, Arizona. We are also pleased to announce the return of the SEMI Global Standards Summit taking place Tuesday afternoon, October 7 at SEMICON West. Our inaugural Summit was held last year at SEMICON Japan 2024 last December. The Summit aims to identify standards-critical areas and work towards an industry standardization strategy for the next 3- and 7-year time horizons. This year's Global Standards Summit will feature sessions on Supply Chain Traceability as well as Environmental Sustainability. Similarly, as cybersecurity considerations become more complex, SEMICON West will host a dedicated Cybersecurity Forum from October 7-9 to address today’s most pertinent challenges. More detailed program information will be available soon. Finally, we’re looking forward to our SEMI Standards + Award Ceremony Networking Event at SEMICON West. Following the International Standards Meeting and Standards Summit on Tuesday, October 7, join us for appetizers, drinks, and great conversation from 6-7:30 p.m. In the meantime, learn more about becoming a member of the SEMI International Standards Program.Balloting for Document 6938Document 6938C introduces a new potential standard – Guide for Equipment Edge Data Governance. Under development by the Equipment Edge Data Governance (EEDG) Task Force since 2021, Document 6938C was balloted in Cycle 3-2025 and approved during the Information Control Taiwan Technical Committee (TC) Chapter meeting held on June 12, 2025. It has since received approval by the International Standards Committee Audits and Reviews Subcommittee and is now undergoing final processing for publication by SEMI. As manufacturing equipment offers more accessible data than ever, poor communication, inconsistent expectations, and data security concerns continue to halt or slow factory integration efforts. If passed, this new standard will help organize the information that supports smart manufacturing efforts at the edge. In addition, the EEDG Guide will provide a comprehensive set of best practices to both users and suppliers to increase the value of existing equipment data. Update on Revisions to SEMI S2, S8, and S10 Safety GuidelinesOur 2025 Q1 Standards Watch newsletter announced a significant overhaul for SEMI Standards S2, S8, and S10.S2, SEMI’s standard for performance-based environmental, health, and safety (EHS) considerations for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, is undergoing discussions on redefining safety interlock systems. The S2 task force will issue an informal ballot to the general audience for feedback. The results then will be used to develop a formal letter ballot.First developed in 1995, SEMI Standard S8 works to reduce fatigue and injury by matching equipment to the user’s size, strength, and range of motion. Although this safety standard has been periodically updated since its inception, its last substantial revision was in 2018. The ballot to revise S8 ultimately failed the EH S TC Chapter review at this year’s Winter Meeting. With 214 comments and negatives to consider, the task force is revising the ballot and plans to reissue in Cycle 7 of August 2025.Finally, SEMI Standard S10 is moving through ballot 7169. This standard defines a consistent means of risk estimation that other SEMI Safety Guidelines can invoke. Ballot 7169 will separate facility and building risk assessment to a non-normative portion of the document, ensure EHS risks are separately calculated from commercial object risks, and clarify risk assessment of observed events from risk assessment of foreseen events. Ballot 7169 results were reviewed on June 5 during the North America Standards Summer meetings. The document was approved and is being processed for publication by SEMI.Cybersecurity Forum at SEMICON West 2025This year’s SEMICON West will feature a dedicated Cybersecurity Forum to address the semiconductor industry’s rapidly-changing cybersecurity landscape. The SEMI Cybersecurity Forum will gather industry experts to share knowledge and experience on the following topics. The goal is to develop actionable strategies and a deeper understanding of current and future cybersecurity risks. Cybersecurity in Legacy Semiconductor ToolsEmerging and Existing Cybersecurity Legislation and ComplianceCybersecurity in Maintenance and ManufacturingImpact of Cybersecurity Events on Semiconductor Manufacturing OperationsSupply Chain SecurityThreat Landscape in Semiconductor ManufacturingThe 2025 call for abstracts is now closed. Speakers will be announced in Q3.SEMI E187 Compliance Guidance White PaperThe SEMI Semiconductor Manufacturing Cybersecurity Consortium (SMCC), in collaboration with industry experts, is pleased to announce the release of the SEMI E187 Compliance Guidance Whitepaper. This comprehensive resource is designed to support semiconductor equipment suppliers and device manufacturers as they work to meet the requirements of the SEMI E187 0122 Standard - The Specification of Cybersecurity of Fab Equipment.Professionals involved in tool development, manufacturing, operations, and security will find the guidance particularly relevant and actionable. It provides guidance to address all twelve SEMI E187 requirements and focuses on new to fab equipment.Download the Whitepaper for freeSEMI Standards North America Summer MeetingsThis year’s SEMI Standards North America Summer Meetings were held from June 2-5 at SEMI’s headquarters in Milpitas, California. The meetings convened 11 committees and 40 task forces to discuss topics ranging from EHS to facilities, 3D packaging, MEMS, and more. In addition to the results of ballot 7169, technical changes to ballot 6601B, New Standard: Guide for Meeting IRDS Yield Table Recommendations for High Purity Polymer Materials and Components Used in Ultrapure Water, was also approved by the Liquid Chemicals North America TC Chapter, since the activity began in 2019. A Ratification Ballot will be issued in Cycle 7-2025 to verify the changes. In total, over 15 activities, ranging from Auxiliary Information, Reapprovals, and Line-Item ballots, also recently passed Procedural Review by the International Standards Committee (ISC) Audits Reviews Subcommittee and will be forwarded to Publications for final processing. The next SEMI International Standards Meeting will be held at SEMICON West from October 7-9 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Some technical committees and task forces may meet virtually outside of this meeting set, so be sure to check the SEMI Standards calendar of events for updates. Standards Introduced in Q2 2025New and revised standards released in Q2. April 2025 standards: https://store-us.semi.org/collections/standards/stdpbc-0425May 2025 standards: https://store-us.semi.org/collections/standards/stdpbc-0525June 2025 standards: https://store-us.semi.org/collections/standards/stdpbc-0625Get InvolvedSEMI Standards development activities take place throughout the year in all major manufacturing regions. To participate, join the SEMI International Standards Program.SEMI Standards are available through individual download purchases or online via SEMIViews. Sign up for a 30-day SEMIViews trial.For more information, please visit the Standards website and events page. For any questions regarding SEMI Standards activities, please contact your local SEMI Standards staff. Paul Trio is Director of Standards at SEMI.

With microelectronics manufacturing increasing in complexity and facing more cybersecurity threats, the SEMI International Standards Program has made crucial progress on efforts to address these challenges and others, in the first quarter of 2025. MEMS manufacturing readiness and cybersecurity came into sharp focus with the introduction of SEMI Standard MS15 - Guide to MEMS Manufacturing Readiness Levels. In addition, this quarter saw the opening of the public commentary period for a SEMI-led semiconductor manufacturing cybersecurity profile, developed for the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0. Through collaborative efforts, we held a successful North America Standards Winter Meeting in February, co-hosted a MEMS webinar, and published over 15 new and revised standards in areas such as equipment automation software, facilities, materials, and more.With exciting developments still to come, we’re looking forward to a wonderful year ahead.MEMS Manufacturing Readiness This March, SEMI unveiled its new standard, SEMI MS15 – Guide to MEMS Manufacturing Readiness Levels. This standard offers readiness level definitions, processes, and practices for creating MEMS products that meet targeted specification performance, quality, cost, and time-to-market. This standard is broken into eight distinct levels that cover basic research, all the way through high-volume production. Prior to the official release of SEMI MS15, we held a webinar that previewed how MEMS Manufacturing Readiness Levels will facilitate efficient MEMS development. Led by co-chair, Michelle Bourke of Lam Research, the SEMI MEMS Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) hosted a webinar featuring MEMS experts from SoftMEMS, HP, Teledyne MEMS, and Polar Semiconductor. Speakers shared insight into creating a structured and balanced MEMS manufacturing approach to drive successful products to commercialization. Cybersecurity Resilience Like 2024, cybersecurity remains pertinent in 2025. Last October, SEMI introduced SEMI Standard E191 and its subordinate standard, SEMI E191.1 to help define cybersecurity status information reporting. SEMI E191 and E191.1 join SEMI’s existing cybersecurity standards, SEMI E187 and E188. Last year also saw the development of the NIST CSF 2.0 Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile under SEMI’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Cybersecurity Consortium (SMCC). In partnership with NIST, SMCC advanced a community profile for CSF 2.0 that will serve as a cybersecurity framework specific to semiconductor manufacturing. The profile opened for public commentary between February 27 and May 30, with the final version slated for official release in Q3 of this year.As the semiconductor industry becomes increasingly reliant on digital technologies, we will continue to prioritize cybersecurity standards and initiatives essential for safeguarding the global supply chain.North America SEMI Standards Winter MeetingsFrom February 24 to 27 at SEMI’s headquarters, leaders from 11 committees and over 40 task forces collaborated on new and revised standards and safety guidelines for environmental, health, and safety, equipment automation and software, liquid chemicals, traceability, and more. Three SEMI Standard draft documents that were reviewed at the North America SEMI Standards Fall Meetings last November have also been approved and published. In addition to SEMI MS15, SEMI F122 – Guide for Facilities Data Package for Manufacturing Equipment Installation and Building Information Modeling, and SEMI E193 – Specification for 300 mm Film Frame FOUP (FFF), have also been approved and published. SEMI F122 suggests formats for reporting facilities data required to plan, prepare, model, and optimize a facility for the installation of manufacturing equipment by fab owners and manufacturing equipment customers. SEMI E193 drives consistent implementation of interfaces for film frame carriers that are compact and work with existing 300 mm FOUP standards and BOLTS interfaces. These standards are now available for purchase. The North America SEMI Standards Summer Meetings will take place from June 2-5 at SEMI’s Milpitas, California headquarters. Some technical committees and task forces may meet virtually outside of this meeting set – check the SEMI Standards calendar of events for updates!Standards Introduced in Q1 2025New and revised standards released in Q1. January 2025 standards: https://store-us.semi.org/collections/standards/lang-english+stdpbc-0125February 2025 standards: https://store-us.semi.org/collections/standards/lang-english+stdpbc-0225March 2025 standards: https://store-us.semi.org/collections/standards/lang-english+stdpbc-0325TestimonialsHear from Doug Suerich, Director of Marketing at PEER Group, how his work is helping shape smart manufacturing standards and global cybersecurity policies through our powerful collaborative platform. Get InvolvedSEMI Standards development activities take place throughout the year in all major manufacturing regions. To participate, join the SEMI International Standards Program.SEMI Standards are available through Individual Download purchases or online via SEMIViews. Sign up for a 30-day SEMIViews trial.For more information, please visit the Standards website and events page. For any questions regarding SEMI Standards activities, please contact your local SEMI Standards staff. Paul Trio is Director of Standards at SEMI.

In an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, the semiconductor industry serves as the backbone of innovation. From IoT devices to data centers, every piece of technology relies on integrated circuits (ICs) such as intellectual property (IP) cores and system on chips (SoCs). As these technologies become increasingly pervasive, the importance of hardware security assurance in the design and development of IP and SoCs cannot be overstated. Evolving cyber threats and sophisticated attacks make it essential for vendors to integrate advanced security measures into their workflows.Market Pressures Driving Demand for Enhanced Hardware Security The semiconductor market is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. At the same time, semiconductor devices and system designs are becoming increasingly complex. With that complexity comes the added difficulty and effort required to conduct thorough security analyses. Additionally, competitive pressure to reduce time-to-market means that vulnerabilities can be more easily overlooked or exploited, making it crucial for the industry to adopt automated security solutions. As more products are deployed in critical systems, from consumer electronics to national infrastructure, the stakes become even higher, underscoring the necessity for robust security measures.According to the SEMI Electronic Design Market Data (EDMD) report, in 2023, the electronic design automation (EDA), semiconductor IP, and related services market reached $17.1 billion, fueled by the increasing complexity of semiconductor designs and the growing emphasis on security. While the overall EDA market is growing at a 7.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the semiconductor IP segment is expanding at 9.7%, and in comparison, the logic verification tools market alone is surging ahead at 24.2%. Deeper verification processes and tools are needed to not only handle the rising complexity of semiconductor designs, but also to support the growing emphasis on secure-by-design principles to ensure robust and reliable products in an evolving technological, security, and threat landscape. As a result, the market for logic verification tools — a key component of the EDA market — is surging. The Rising Cost of Cyber Threats from Data Breaches and Architectural Flaws Pavani Jella, Silicon AssuranceThe average cost of a data breach is $4.88 million1, encompassing lost business, regulatory fines, legal fees, and damage to brand reputation. As the semiconductor market grows, the potential financial impact of security breaches due to hardware vulnerabilities also escalates. Companies must invest in robust security measures to mitigate these risks and protect their financial health.Cyber threats from the exploitation of architectural flaws are another threat. Plundervolt is one example of an architectural flaw that could lead to hardware exploitation. Discovered by ethical hackers, Plundervolt is the name of an attack that exploited voltage fault injection to compromise the security of Intel processors. By manipulating the voltage supplied to the CPU cores, attackers could induce errors in the SGX enclave, allowing them to leak sensitive data or even bypass security protections intended by the enclave. This flaw was particularly concerning because it operated at the hardware level, making traditional software security measures ineffective. The attack leveraged the SoCs’ power management features, specifically dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS), to achieve its malicious objectives.Exploiting such a vulnerability could lead to the exposure of sensitive data, such as cryptographic keys and proprietary information, compromising the confidentiality of secure enclaves. This breach could erode trust in an IP or SoC provider’s security features, particularly in environments that rely on using the IP or SoC for protecting critical data. In cloud environments, a successful exploit could result in multi-tenant data breaches, impacting numerous users.The vulnerability also poses risks to secure applications, potentially leading to manipulated outcomes and decrypted communications. Businesses could face significant financial losses, operational disruptions, and regulatory consequences due to such an attack. It is a stark reminder of how architectural flaws in SoCs can be exploited, leading to severe security breaches that are challenging to mitigate without hardware-level fixes.Industry Believes Hardware Security Assurance Is a Key Priority A majority of security professionals from a diverse group across industry, defense, government, and academia rate hardware Trojan detection, IP piracy protection, and SoC vulnerability assessment as high priorities. This prioritization reflects the industry's awareness of the critical importance of security measures in maintaining the integrity and reliability of semiconductor products.As a result of this awareness, investments in cybersecurity are expected to reach $345.4 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 9.7%2. This substantial investment demonstrates the global commitment to enhancing security measures across all industries, including semiconductors, to combat the escalating threat landscape.New EDA Tools and Investments Needed to Combat Cyber Threats The adoption of new EDA solutions is essential, despite the initial costs. Costs can range from $100,000 to $1 million per license for general EDA design and verification tools, depending on the complexity and capabilities of the software. Pre-silicon security EDA tools can detect vulnerabilities early in the design phase, significantly reducing the risk of exploitation and the need for costly post-production fixes while enhancing product reliability. Secure-by-design principles ensure that security measures are integrated throughout the development process, rather than added as afterthoughts.Integrating these new tools also requires investment in training and potential adjustments to existing workflows. However, the improved security and efficiency provided by these tools can offset these initial costs.While the costs of acquiring advanced EDA tools and deploying them in the workflow is significant, the investment is justified by the long-term benefits of enhanced security and reduced risk of costly breaches. Secure-by-design practices can prevent significant financial losses from security breaches, offering substantial long-term savings. Companies that invest in robust security measures are better positioned to demonstrate market leadership and build customer trust and loyalty, while avoiding the reputational and financial damage associated with breaches.ConclusionThe semiconductor industry is at a critical juncture where the application of advanced EDA solutions for hardware security is not just beneficial, but essential. The time to act is now.The increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the financial repercussions of security breaches make it imperative for IP and SoC vendors to adopt advanced EDA security assurance solutions to secure their designs. By investing in cutting-edge EDA tools and prioritizing security from the earliest stages of design, vendors can safeguard their products, maintain market competitiveness, and protect against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.References1. IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 20242. KPMG 2024 Global Semiconductor Industry OutlookPavani Jella is the Vice President of Business Development at Silicon Assurance, a member of the Electronic System Design Alliance (ESDA) a SEMI Technology Community. Silicon Assurance specializes in hardware security assurance solutions. With a strong background in the semiconductor and EDA industries, Pavani plays a pivotal role in driving strategic growth and fostering innovative partnerships. Passionate about the intersection of technology and security, she helps organizations adopt state-of-the-art solutions that ensure the resilience and trustworthiness of their hardware systems.

Protecting advanced computing infrastructure and the electronic devices that underpin our global economies, businesses and personal lives is essential in the face of growing cybersecurity threats.

The new cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. on cybersecurity standards promises to elevate the profile of Taiwan’s suppliers in the global semiconductor supply chain. The two regions’ collaboration on international cybersecurity policy is an important step forward.

The SEMI Cybersecurity consortium, launched at SEMICON West in July, has established key priorities in its mission to develop and promote a standards-based, industry-wide approach to improve cybersecurity and accelerate implementation of actionable solutions.

In January 2022, SEMI Taiwan released SEMI E187 – Specification for Cybersecurity of Fab Equipment. What cybersecurity pain points does SEMI E187 ultimately address?

Since the release of ISO 27001, a raft of new international information security standards have emerged. Within the trend of cyber/digital resilience, how exactly do senior executives understand the latest cybersecurity standards from a management perspective?

The automation of semiconductor factories through digitization is reshaping Smart Manufacturing to streamline the connectivity and orchestration of manufacturing processes across the entire supply chain. But the threat of cyberattacks and viruses looms. An estimated 26 billion smart and connected manufacturing devices are expected to be online by next year. Never before has the need been greater to protect the staggering volume of manufacturing data traversing increasingly intricate supply chain networks.“We are living in the time of digital manufacturing,” said Chen Chi-Hsien, Director of TSMC’s Manufacturing Technology Center. “Processes ranging from assembling equipment and upgrading hardware and software are increasing security challenges for semiconductor manufacturers. With viruses and malware constantly evolving to pose greater threats, all members of the supply chain – from manufacturing and equipment to operating system and software/firmware providers – should work together within the SEMI Smart Manufacturing platform to establish cybersecurity standards across the industry. Doing so will also enhance the development of smart manufacturing and accelerate digitalization.” Representatives from Tongfu Microelectronics, Adlink, NSHC, ABB, TSMC, ASE and Microsoft with SEMI CMO and SEMI Taiwan president Terry Tsao (left to right) Chi-Hsien offered his insights at the SEMI Smart Manufacturing and Cybersecurity Seminar, joining speakers from other leading semiconductor manufacturers including TFME and ASE to discuss the latest smart manufacturing trends and cybersecurity challenges. The April event in Hsinchu also featured representatives from ABB, Adlink, Microsoft, Rockwell, Siemens, Delta Electronics and the National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC) offering their views on how the semiconductor industry can speed its digital transformation using various technologies.With its 43 years’ experience in developing international standards, SEMI is committed to serving as the platform to establish universal information security standards for silicon wafer plants and semiconductor equipment, Terry Tsao, SEMI chief marketing officer and SEMI Taiwan president, said at the seminar. Tsao added that SEMI is now in discussions with leading semiconductor manufacturers to establish a communications framework for addressing potential security risks and facilitating the development of risk management and security solutions that safeguard the semiconductor supply chain.This year SEMI will debut its SMART Manufacturing EXPO to gather key supply chain players for critical discussions about security and to feature AI manufacturing and cybersecurity solutions. Co-located with SEMICON Taiwan, September 18-20, 2019, at TaiNEX 1 (Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1), the SMART Manufacturing EXPO will include Smart manufacturing hardware and software providers from around the world for the interdisciplinary discussions and collaboration key to developing strong Smart manufacturing security.For more information about the SEMI Smart Manufacturing Platform, contact Emmy Yi of SEMI Taiwan at [email protected] Yi is a marketing specialist at SEMI Taiwan.