Security and privacy are major prerequisites for internet users. In this talk, we present LeMonolith.com, a low-cost device built on open technologies such as Arduino and JavaCard. It functions as a secure vault, implementing a TLS 1.3 Pre-Shared Key (PSK) server within a secure element—i.e., a tamper-resistant microcontroller commonly found in bank cards, SIM modules, and electronic passports.

LeMonolith is powered by an ESP32 chip, a System-on-Chip (SoC) widely used in IoT applications, with over one billion units shipped globally. Additionally, six billion JavaCards are produced annually. The device offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. Its internal resources—including secure storage and cryptographic functions—are accessible via a command-line SHELL interface, protected by end-to-end TLS-PSK sessions.

The PSK is 256 bits long and acts like a "super PIN code," required for remote access to embedded services. Similar to traditional servers, the secure element can manage multiple user accounts (with distinct login credentials and PSKs), each with configurable privileges. This architecture introduces a new paradigm for asynchronous communication—comparable to secure mailboxes.

In January 2025, the Personal Network Hardware Secure Module (pNHSM) concept received the Embedded IoT Consumer Award from Embedded France, awarded at the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance, and Recovery in Paris.

More about LeMonolith: http://lemonolith.com/lem.html

About Pascal Urien

Pascal Urien is an emeritus professor at Télécom Paris, France, and co-founder of the company Ethertrust. In 2024, he was included in Stanford University's list of the World's Top 2% Scientists. He has published around 200 papers and holds 15 patents.