Memory Data Scrambling With Host Key Recovery for Secure Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recent nefarious activities have exploited lower-level interactions to gain unauthorized access to data stored in memory devices, as existing security mechanisms are inadequate in protecting against software-based hacking and snooping at hardware layers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an encoding mechanism in memory devices that scrambles and encodes data using XOR or LFSR circuits based on a scramble key, which is discarded after encoding, ensuring that only authorized entities can decode the data, thereby preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is stored in memory devices without encoding, then data access is simple and fast, but data security is insufficient against unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by encoding data with a scramble key before storing it in the memory device. The encoding mechanism modifies the data during the write operation, so that when data is read, it appears as random noise to unauthorized users. The key tracking mechanism is also established in advance, allowing the host to retrieve the correct scramble key based on metadata stored with the encoded data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary encoding mechanism that acts as a mediator between the stored data and unauthorized access attempts. The scramble key serves as an intermediate element that transforms readable data into encoded form during storage, and the key tracking mechanism serves as an intermediary that connects the host to the correct decryption key without exposing the encoding process to potential attackers.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If encoding mechanism is implemented in memory devices, then unauthorized data access is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the security function into separate components: an encoding mechanism for data transformation, a key tracking mechanism for key management, and metadata storage for key identification. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the complexity burden on any single part of the memory device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through the key tracking mechanism, which automatically manages scramble keys based on metadata stored with the encoded data. When data is read, the system autonomously retrieves the appropriate key using the stored metadata without requiring manual intervention or complex external key management infrastructure.
3Reliability
If scramble key is discarded after encoding, then security is enhanced, but data recovery becomes dependent on host key tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing metadata alongside the encoded data that contains information necessary for key retrieval. This preliminary action ensures that when data needs to be recovered, the host system already has the information it needs to retrieve the correct scramble key from its key tracking mechanism, making the recovery process straightforward despite the key being discarded after encoding.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to a data storage are described. Data targeted for storage is communicated to a memory device along with a scramble key. The scramble key is used to encode the target data, and the encoded data is stored at the memory device. For read operations, the encoded data is provided instead of the target data, and the target data is recovered outside of the memory device according to the scramble key.