Jane Edwards
Zachary Lemnios and Terry Halvorsen of IBM said the U.S. should invest in the domestic microelectronics supply chain, including research and development, to ensure the security of these microchips, maintain the country’s edge in innovation and reduce dependence on foreign-made semiconductors.
“Furthermore, we believe that integrating strong security protocols in U.S.-led R&D and in the manufacturing process of these components could enable the U.S. Federal Government’s secure use of foreign manufacturing,†Halvorsen, a previous Wash100 Award winner, and Lemnios wrote in an article published Friday.
They noted that IBM has developed and demonstrated components of a holistic ecosystem that seeks to add security to the microelectronics design and fabrication process through the Department of Defense’s Rapid Assured Microelectronics Prototypes Advanced Commercial Capabilities Project.
IBM has sought insights from defense industrial base partners, small businesses and universities and employed its experience in intellectual property licensing and support models to help shape the ecosystem, said Lemnios and Halvorsen.
“Ultimately, securing and investing in the future of the U.S. microelectronics’ supply chain is a challenge we need to address. The recent executive order from the Biden Administration is an encouraging step in the right direction,†they added.
Lemnios is vice president for IBM Research and former assistant secretary of defense. Halvorsen is general manager and client development leader for U.S. public and federal market at IBM and former chief information officer at DOD.
