Remote Hardware Security Module Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security systems for electronic devices, particularly those controlling access to hardware devices like integrated circuits, are vulnerable to attacks due to their reliance on software-based encryption protocols and passwords, which can be hacked and lead to unauthorized access and data manipulation.
Innovation Solution
The proposed security system deploys an external or remote server-based resource to perform authentication and access control functions, separating the gatekeeper functionality within the hardware from the authentication process, which is handled by an external entity, such as a server in communication with the host device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If software-based encryption protocols and passwords are used for security, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to hacking and unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the security system into two independent parts: a hardware security module embedded in the protected device that handles authentication challenges, and a remote server that verifies credentials and makes access decisions. This segmentation isolates the credential verification logic from the protected device, preventing attackers from exploiting software vulnerabilities in the device itself to compromise security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the client device and the protected resource. The server acts as a trusted third party that receives authentication requests, verifies credentials through cryptographic protocols, and returns access decisions. This intermediary architecture eliminates the need for the protected device to store or process sensitive credentials locally, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through centralized security management.
2Reliability
If hardware-based security modules are embedded within the protected device, then reliability is improved by preventing external manipulation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex credential verification and access decision-making logic from the protected device and places it in a remote server. The embedded hardware security module in the protected device is simplified to only handle authentication challenges and enforce access decisions, rather than implementing full authentication protocols. This extraction reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability through the secure, centralized verification process.
3Reliability
If remote authentication servers are used for access control, then reliability is improved by separating authentication from the protected device, but loss of time increases due to network communication latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the client device obtain authentication credentials and establish security contexts before attempting to access protected resources. The hardware security module pre-processes authentication challenges and prepares access decisions locally, reducing the need for repeated round-trip communications with the remote server during actual data access operations. This preliminary authentication approach minimizes network latency while maintaining the reliability benefits of remote verification.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Security systems for microelectronic devices physically lock the hardware itself and serve as a first line of defense by preventing overwriting, modification, manipulation or erasure of data stored in a device's memory. Implementations of the security systems can respond to lock/unlock commands that do not require signal or software interactivity with the functionality of the protected device, and which therefore may be consistent across devices.