CPU Emulator for Secure Program Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secure cryptoprocessors are costly, inflexible, and limited in scalability, making them impractical for large applications and conventional computing systems, while current software solutions lack the necessary hardware-based security to protect data and code during execution, especially in environments where complete isolation is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an enhanced information assurance system using an enhanced-security central processing unit (CPU) emulator that extends the machine language instruction set with secure opcodes, encrypts data in RAM, and uses a hypervisor to manage secure virtual machines, ensuring that sensitive data remains encrypted and protected from processor-level interrupts and unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If secure cryptoprocessors are used to protect data and code during execution, then security is improved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of a secure processor through software emulation rather than physical hardware. The emulator program replicates the functionality of a secure cryptoprocessor on conventional hardware, providing the same security capabilities without requiring expensive custom hardware. This allows multiple virtual secure processors to run on a single physical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hardware-based secure cryptoprocessor with a software-based emulator. Instead of relying on physical tamper-resistant packaging and dedicated hardware circuits, the security functionality is implemented through software that emulates the behavior of a secure processor on conventional hardware, substituting hardware mechanisms with software equivalents.
2Reliability
If secure cryptoprocessors are used to protect data and code during execution, then security is improved, but scalability is limited and cost becomes prohibitive for large applications
Solution Approach 1:
The emulator program provides universal security functionality that can protect multiple applications and data types simultaneously. A single emulator instance can handle various cryptographic operations, protect different virtual machines, and support multiple security protocols, making the system scalable and adaptable to diverse security needs without requiring separate hardware for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtualization approach allows multiple instances of the secure processor emulator to be created and run concurrently on the same hardware platform. Each virtual machine can have its own emulated secure processor, enabling scalable security protection across multiple applications and users without proportionally increasing hardware costs.
3Reliability
If complete isolation is implemented to protect critical programs, then security is improved, but practicality and ease of operation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The emulator acts as an intermediary layer between the conventional hardware and the secure software environment. It provides the isolation and protection of a dedicated secure processor while allowing the system to run on standard hardware infrastructure. This mediator enables security without requiring complete physical isolation, maintaining practicality for conventional computing environments.
Data Source
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AI summary
An enhanced information assurance system may comprise an improved computer 12 including a central processing unit (CPU) 16 emulator configured to extend the available machine instruction set. The CPU emulator may be configured to emulate machine language instructions taken from a nonnative set of secure opcodes. The CPU emulator may ensure that instructions and data 36 in random access memory (RAM) 14 remain encrypted at all times when in RAM, for example by storing the instructions 38 and data in 36 CPU registers 18 when decrypted on an as-needed basis.