The technology industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by the growing prevalence of complex computing systems, stringent data protection regulations, and the rising awareness of the potential risks posed by side channel attacks, as well as growing importance of technologies such as advanced cryptographic algorithms, hardware-based security solutions, and software techniques that reduce information leakage and enhance system resilience against these attacks. These technologies play a pivotal role in fortifying cybersecurity defenses and protecting sensitive data from side channel attacks. In the last three years alone, there have been over 4.1 million patents filed and granted in the technology industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Cybersecurity in technology: side channel attack mitigation. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
190+ innovations will shape the technology industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the technology industry using innovation intensity models built on over 1.5 million patents, there are 190+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, trusted platform modules, signcryption, and homomorphic encryption, are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Zero knowledge proof, physically unclonable functions (PUFs), and multi-factor authentication are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are AES encryption and encrypted content distribution, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for cybersecurity in the technology industry
Side channel attack mitigation is a key innovation area in cybersecurity
Side channel attack mitigation refers to a security approach aimed at minimizing or preventing the impact of side channel attacks. These attacks exploit the physical attributes of a system, such as power consumption, heat, electromagnetic radiation, or sound, to extract sensitive information. Mitigation techniques for side channel attacks encompass alterations at the hardware, software, and technique levels. These techniques involve implementing changes to the system's hardware, modifying software configurations, and employing different methodologies to enhance resistance against side channel attacks.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 180+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established technology companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of side channel attack mitigation.
Key players in side channel attack mitigation – a disruptive innovation in the technology industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to side channel attack mitigation
| Company | Total patents (2010 - 2022) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| Qualcomm | 20 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Thales | 33 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Microsoft | 54 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Rambus | 94 | Unlock Company Profile |
| NXP Semiconductors | 24 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Alibaba Group | 48 | Unlock Company Profile |
| SAP | 21 | Unlock Company Profile |
| CEA | 13 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Citrix Systems | 38 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Panasonic | 37 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Winbond Electronics | 32 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Lynx Software Technologies | 17 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Infineon Technologies | 57 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sony Group | 39 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Advanced New Technologies | 14 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Nippon Telegraph and Telephone | 26 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Boeing | 15 | Unlock Company Profile |
| IBM | 87 | Unlock Company Profile |
| STMicroelectronics | 47 | Unlock Company Profile |
| BlackBerry | 41 | Unlock Company Profile |
| NEC | 48 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Intel | 204 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Avecto | 15 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Darktrace | 31 | Unlock Company Profile |
| IDEMIA France | 25 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Intrepid Networks | 17 | Unlock Company Profile |
| The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission | 19 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Ventana Micro Systems | 16 | Unlock Company Profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Intel is the leading patent filer in side channel attack mitigation, followed by Rambus and IBM. Other prominent patent filers in the space include Infineon Technologies and Microsoft.
By geographic reach, Intrepid Networks leads the pack, followed by Lynx Software Technologies and Darktrace. In terms of application diversity, Darktrace holds the top position, followed by Advanced New Technologies and Alibaba Group.
Cybersecurity innovation in side channel attack mitigation has become imperative in the face of increasingly sophisticated attacks exploiting unintended information leakage from computing systems. The innovation focuses on detecting and preventing side channel attacks, which exploit unintended information leaks, such as power consumption or electromagnetic emissions, to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
To further understand how cybersecurity is disrupting the technology industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Cybersecurity.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
