Hardware Security Module Chip Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chip manufacturers face challenges in securing chips during shipment, as they can be altered or cloned, leading to security risks and unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Hardware Security Module (HSM) that includes processor circuitry, activation certificate generators, data certificate generators, and key generators to secure and authenticate chips by generating unique IDs, encryption keys, and certificates, ensuring secure activation and authentication processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If chips are provided in an unlocked state during shipment, then ease of manufacture and adaptability are improved, but security and reliability deteriorate due to potential altering and cloning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring chips with unique identification values and cryptographic key pairs during manufacturing, before the chips are shipped to customers. This preliminary setup includes generating public and private keys, and creating digital certificates that will later enable secure activation. The chips are prepared in advance with the necessary security infrastructure, allowing them to be securely activated later through a controlled process that prevents unauthorized use during transit.
2Reliability
If chips are secured during shipment through activation processes, then security and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary activation server that mediates between chip manufacturers and end users. This server holds the master public key and facilitates the activation process by verifying digital certificates and distributing activation information. The intermediary simplifies the overall system by centralizing the complex cryptographic verification processes, allowing chips to remain relatively simple while still achieving high security through the mediating server's coordination of the activation process.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for securing and activating chips and/or devices that can utilize a hardware security module (HSM). One or more of the methods can include generating one or more digital certificates based on an identification (ID) associated with a device, generating one or more activation certificates and one or more modified activation certificate based on one or more encryption keys, and generating one or more chip data certificates and/or one or more modified chip data certificates.