Xiphera protects critical systems by designing security directly into hardware.
Xiphera – About us
Xiphera designs and implements hardware-based security using proven cryptographic algorithms. Our strong cryptographic expertise and extensive experience in digital system design enable us to help our customers to protect their most valuable assets.
We offer secure and highly optimised cryptographic Intellectual Property (IP) cores, designed directly for Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) without hidden CPU or software components. The broad, fully in-house designed, and up-to-date portfolio, including implementations of Post-Quantum Cryptography, enables cost-effective development projects with fast time-to-market – providing peace of mind in a dangerous world.
Extensive portfolio of cryptographic IP cores and security solutions
Standard compliance and CAVP validation
Pure logic design, no hidden software or CPU
Use cases and applications
Communications and data centers
The adoption of 5G technology and cloud services increases the need for secure network and data center connectivity.
- Focus on performance, power consumption, and resource requirements
- Example applications: look-aside and inline acceleration of symmetric encryption (up to to hundreds of Gbps)
- Security protocols such as IPsec and MACsec
Xiphera offers high and extreme-speed variants of encryption algorithm and protocol implementations targeting performance-intensive communications and data center applications.
Space and satellite infrastructures
The long life cycles of satellite infrastructures call for future-proof security for system operations and satellite to ground station connectivity.
- Critical, quantum-resilient security functions directly in hardware logic
- Streamlined architecture, minimised attack surface, and reduced reliance on CPU and software components
- Crypto agility on FPGA platforms
Xiphera offers compact hardware-only implementations of security solutions, ranging from traditional to quantum-resilient cryptography, for space and satellite infrastructures.
Industrial automation and IoT
Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0 enable industrial control and automation companies to redefine their offering and business models – while posing new requirements and challenges for security:
- EU Cyber Resilience Act requires implementation and management of solution security
- End-to-end security from industrial end points to the cloud
- High security level for diverse platforms and hardware architectures
- Low power consumption achieved with hardware-based cryptography
Xiphera offers compact IP cores targeting the resource and performance requirements of industrial applications. Pure hardware-based security solution offering Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) enables flexible and scalable security in the field throughout long deployment life cycles.
Mission-critical infrastructures
Governmental communications, energy and utilities infrastructures, and defense applications require proven security and hardware-level protection.
- Mission-critical infrastructure faces advanced threat models
- The imminent quantum threat and long lifecycles of critical infrastructures pose security design challenges
- High national protection criteria typically require hardware-based security implementations
All cryptographic operations in Xiphera IP cores are executed in pure digital logic with no hidden CPU or software components. Our xQlave® PQC portfolio offers standardised protection against the quantum threat.
How it all started?
The two co-founders of Xiphera, Matti Tommiska and Kimmo Järvinen, first worked together in a cryptographic project in the beginning of 2000’s. In 2016, they started to discuss the widening gap between the strong theoretical foundation of cryptography and the often imperfect implementations of cryptography in mission-critical systems.
Their conclusion was clear: Everyone deserves security, but designing secure systems is not for everyone. Security is fundamentally based on cryptography, and a flawless implementation of cryptography is an absolute requirement for secure systems. Software-based implementations of cryptography inherently have more potential weaknesses than a pure hardware-based implementation. This observation crystallised the underlying potential for a new company, and Xiphera, Ltd, was founded in July, 2017.
Since then, we have grown organically in international markets, investing in further product development as well as widening the global partnership network. The number of employees has increased in both technical and commercial roles, still letting us to retain the nimbleness and customer intimacy of a growth company.
Cryptography is never stagnant, and we follow closely the industry and science, and proactively implement new innovations and changes in standards and algorithms. Our ambition is to continue organic and profitable growth, explore new target markets, and become a world-recognised expert and leader in hardware-based security and cryptography.
Our people
Contact our people: firstname.lastname@xiphera.com
Matti Tommiska
CEO, Co-Founder
PhD
Matti is an electronics professional with 10 years of academic career followed by 13 years of expertise in international semiconductor business.
During his industry career he has worked for Spansion, Altera, and Intel in both technical and sales roles. He has significant experience of the semiconductor market, customer applications and the security challenges they face. Matti and the co-founder Kimmo have known each other already for two decades: was the supervisor for Kimmo’s master’s thesis in the early 2000’s.
Matti holds a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Helsinki University of Technology (2005).
One of Matti’s hobbies since childhood has been chess, and his favorite openings include King’s Gambit when playing white, and King’s Indian Defence when playing black.
Kimmo Järvinen
CTO, Co-Founder
PhD
Kimmo is a hardware cryptography engineer and researcher with almost 20 years of expertise of the field.
He has had academic research positions both in Finland (Aalto University and University of Helsinki) and Belgium (KU Leuven). His main expertise is designing FPGA-based secure and efficient coprocessors for modern cryptographic algorithms. He has authored more than 60 scientific publications about cryptography, cryptographic engineering, and secure embedded systems.
Kimmo holds a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Helsinki University of Technology (2008).
Kimmo likes to spend his free time by taking photos with his camera. Some examples of Kimmo’s pictures can be seen on this website.
Tommi Lampila
Chief Revenue Officer
M.Sc. (Industrial Engineering)
Tommi is a cybersecurity professional with over 20 years of experience in industry roles – in product, sales, marketing, and delivery management of cybersecurity solutions and services.
He has worked for SSH Communications Security for seventeen years on three different continents, and established the SSH APAC subsidiary in Hong Kong in 2010. He has also led the technical cybersecurity services at KPMG Finland for five years.
Tommi holds a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Tampere University of Technology (1999).
Tommi is a film buff, but despite having worked as a background actor in a major film, has not heard from an agent since. He also enjoys live music, literature, and outdated computer games.
Mimmi Kuusisaari
Marketing Manager
M.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Adm.)
Mimmi takes care of Xiphera’s marketing, brand, PR, and communications.
She holds a master’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from Aalto University, majoring in marketing in both bachelor’s and master’s studies.
Mimmi connects her work’s visual side to her freetime, being a photography enthusiast. In addition to visual hobbies, Mimmi enjoys good movies and books, as well as spending her time with various sports.
Petri Jehkonen
Director of Strategic Programs
M.Sc.Tech.
Petri has 30 years of experience in various industries including semiconductor, crypto, camera-technology, and consumer electronics.
His experience covers engineering, project management, and marketing & sales positions. Recently he has complemented his skill-set even further at Aalto University. Furthermore, he has work experience in the field of education.
Petri has passion for seeking knowledge and explaining complex systems and advanced theories with easy to digest practical examples.
Petri holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering at Aalto University and bachelor’s degree in social services and health care. His hobbies include outdoor activities and Cuban salsa among others. He also enjoys creating software and building electronic gadgets.
Tuomo Tarvainen
System Architect
B.Sc. (Automation engineering)
Tuomo is a system architect with more than 30 years experience in semiconductors and telecommunication.
During his career he has worked for Tecnomen, Micronas, Philips and Altera/Intel. He has significant experience in digital logic design including System-on-Chip (SoC).
Tuomo holds a B.Sc in automation engineering from Helsinki Polytechnic Institute (HTOL, 1989). His hobbies include literature, fishing, farming, and woodworks.
Valtteri Allekotte
Senior Digital Design Engineer
M.Sc.Tech.
Valtteri is a Senior Digital Design Engineer with an education and a background in electrical engineering.
Valtteri is a developer expert in FPGA, digital design and hardware. He holds a master degree in electrical engineering at Aalto University. According to Valtteri his greatest joy is executing innovations into action and solving product development dilemmas.
Valtteri is a Finnish Baseball enthusiast and represents in the Aalto University’s varsity team.
Henri Tuovinen
Digital Design Engineer
M.Sc.Tech.
Henri is a product developer at Xiphera.
Henri holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Aalto University, majoring in Micro- and Nanoelectronic Circuit Design.
During his free time, Henri likes to indoor cycle, listen to music, and tinker with electronics.
Julius Helander
Digital Design and Testing Engineer
M.Sc.Tech.
Julius works as a Hardware Validation Engineer at Xiphera, focusing on FPGA testing and measurements.
He earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Aalto University, where he majored in Micro- and Nanoelectronic Circuit Design. Combining his passion for programming and circuit design, this field became a natural fit for him.
Outside of work, Julius enjoys both outdoor and indoor bouldering, and spends much of his free time exploring new tech and programming projects on his computer.
Timo Lilja
Software Architect and IT Manager
M.Sc.Tech.
Timo is a software architect with over 20 years of experience across diverse roles in software engineering and IT.
He has worked in both academia and industry, with professional interests spanning functional programming, test automation, and various aspects of cybersecurity. With a background that includes extensive experience in teaching, research, and software development, Timo brings a comprehensive perspective to his work.
Timo holds both an M.Sc. and a Lic.Sc. in Computer Science from Aalto University.
Atte Tommiska
Developer
Mathematics student
Atte is a product developer and a student at Aalto University, focusing in engineering physics and mathematics.
Atte has his major studies in mathematics and system sciences. He is responsible for embedded system programming and has a great grasp on post-quantum cryptography. He is a big fan of both programming and mathematics and working at Xiphera allows him to combine the two passions.
Outside of work or his studies, Atte enjoys playing Texas hold’em and challenging video games. He is also a basketball fan who likes to watch the NBA and play the beautiful game with his friends at the nearby courts in Otaniemi.
Are you interested to be part of our team? View our career opportunities and send us a message!