FIB-Aware Anti-Probing Shield Using Internal Functional Nets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current countermeasures against physical probing attacks on integrated circuits are inadequate, as they are not designed to counter focused ion beam (FIB)-based attacks and require significant area and design overhead, lacking a holistic and efficient approach to protect security-critical circuits and nets.
Innovation Solution
An FIB-aware anti-probing physical design flow that uses internal functional nets as shields on upper layers to protect target nets on lower layers, with a comparator circuit to detect signal mismatches and trigger alarms, reducing design overhead and making it difficult for attackers to bypass or reroute the shield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shield technologies are used to protect against probing attacks, then security protection is provided, but area overhead and design complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses existing internal functional nets within the circuit design itself to serve as shields, rather than requiring separate dedicated shield circuits. These internal nets perform dual functions: their original functional purpose and providing electromagnetic shielding for security-critical nets, thereby eliminating the need for additional pattern generators and reducing overall design overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes internal functional nets serve multiple purposes: they maintain their original functional roles in the circuit while simultaneously acting as electromagnetic shields for security-critical nets. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated shield infrastructure and minimizes area overhead
2Reliability
If dedicated shield circuits are added to detect probing attacks, then detection capability is improved, but routing overhead and area consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing internal functional nets to provide shield functionality without requiring dedicated shield circuits. By reusing existing circuit resources for dual purposes, the patent achieves detection capability while minimizing additional area consumption and routing overhead
3Reliability
If FIB-based attacks are countered with traditional protection mechanisms, then some security is provided, but attackers can still bypass protection through focused ion beam systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces internal functional nets as intermediary shielding elements between potential probing points and security-critical nets. These intermediary nets create electromagnetic interference that detects and alerts on probing attempts, including FIB-based attacks, without requiring direct physical barriers that could be bypassed
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems and methods for an FIB-aware anti-probing physical design flow are described in the present disclosure. Such embodiments incorporate new and improved security-critical steps in a physical design flow, in which the design is constrained to provide coverage on asset nets through an internal shield.