Non-persistent Unlock for Secure Memory Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory devices lack effective mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access, especially in secure memory regions, as they rely solely on host-provided security measures, which may not be sufficient to mitigate unauthorized memory access attempts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a non-persistent unlock state for secure memory by verifying access commands with credentials stored in the memory device, ensuring each access attempt is authenticated, and automatically re-locking protected regions after access, thereby preventing persistent unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If memory devices rely solely on host-provided security measures, then device complexity is reduced, but security reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device performs self-authentication by verifying credentials stored within its own registers against access commands received from the host. This self-service security mechanism allows the device to independently authenticate access requests without relying entirely on external host security measures, thereby improving security reliability while maintaining reasonable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Credentials are pre-stored in registers within the memory device before any access operations occur. This preliminary preparation of authentication data enables rapid verification of access commands without adding complex real-time security infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between enhanced security and device complexity
2Speed
If persistent unlock state is used for accessed memory regions, then access speed is improved, but security vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security state of memory regions is made dynamic rather than static. The system transitions between locked and unlocked states based on real-time authentication results and access patterns. This dynamic approach allows the memory device to maintain high-speed access during authenticated operations while automatically re-locking regions when authentication fails or access completes, thereby resolving the contradiction between access speed and security vulnerability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where access commands are verified against stored credentials, and the security state is adjusted based on verification results. This feedback loop ensures that memory regions are unlocked only when necessary for authenticated access and re-locked afterward, preventing persistent security vulnerabilities while maintaining access performance
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods related to implementing a non-persistent unlock state for secure memory. Implementing the non-persistent unlock state can include verifying whether an access command is authorized to access a protected region of a memory array. The authorization can be verified utilizing a key and a memory address corresponding to the access command. If an access command is authorized to access a protected region, then a row of the memory array corresponding to the access command can be activated following the placement of the protected region in a non-persistent unlocked mode. If the row of the memory array corresponding to the access command is activated, then the protected region can be placed on a locked mode.