Processor Security Level Register for Dynamic Performance Trade-offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer processors face a challenge in balancing security and performance, as improvements in security often degrade performance, and different applications have varying security requirements.
Innovation Solution
A computer processor is configured with a security level register that allows for different modes of operation, enabling trade-offs between security and performance. This register can be set based on attributes of the program, virtual addresses, or user preferences, allowing the processor to dynamically configure security operations for optimal balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If security operations are enhanced in the processor, then security protection is improved, but performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The processor implements a security level register that allows dynamic adjustment of security operations based on application requirements. The system can switch between different security modes (e.g., secure mode with full security operations and performance mode with reduced security operations) without hardware changes, enabling adaptive balance between security and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of security operation intensity by introducing a security level register that can be configured to enable or disable specific security features. This allows the processor to operate at different security levels (e.g., full security, reduced security, or performance-optimized security) depending on the application's needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different applications have varying security requirements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor applies different security operation configurations to different applications or code regions based on their specific security requirements. The security level register can be set to different values for different applications, allowing each to receive appropriate security protection without affecting others, thus avoiding uniform high complexity across all operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to adjustable security levels in processors are described. A processor may have functional units and a register configured to control security operations of the functional units. The register configures the functional units to operate in a first mode of security operations when the register contains a first setting; and the register configures the functional units to operate in a second mode of security operations when the register contains a second setting (e.g., to skip/bypassing a set of security operation circuit for enhanced execution speed).