SSD Tamper Sensing for Hot Data Encryption and Key Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state drive (SSD) devices face significant security risks, particularly in cases of loss or theft, with potential data leakage due to the lack of efficient management of encrypted data and security keys.
Innovation Solution
The storage device incorporates a substrate with security pads and a sensing pin connected to a storage controller, which classifies data as hot or cold based on access frequency and encrypts hot data using a signal change from a physical sensing structure, and includes a sensing capacitor for detecting abnormal access to perform data protection operations, including blocking security keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data encryption is implemented to protect data in SSD devices, then data security is improved, but the complexity of managing security keys and encrypted data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device automatically detects physical tampering through the sensing pin and security pad, then autonomously executes data encryption and key blocking without external intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own physical state and responding with appropriate security measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary encryption of data and blocking of security keys before actual data theft or leakage can occur. When tampering is detected, the encryption and key blocking actions are executed immediately to prevent unauthorized access.
2Reliability
If comprehensive security monitoring is implemented to detect physical tampering, then data protection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing pin is extracted as a separate, dedicated monitoring component that independently detects physical tampering events. This extraction allows the monitoring function to be implemented with minimal complexity, using a simple electrical connection rather than a complex monitoring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The security pad acts as an intermediary between the physical casing and the electronic monitoring system. It translates physical tampering events into electrical signals that the sensing pin can detect, simplifying the monitoring mechanism while maintaining effective detection capability.
3Productivity
If hot data encryption is prioritized based on access frequency, then security efficiency is improved, but the complexity of data classification and selective encryption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically classifies data into hot and cold categories based on real-time access frequency patterns. The classification is not static but adapts to changing data access behaviors, allowing the system to automatically adjust encryption priorities without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of encrypting all data uniformly (excessive action), the system applies encryption selectively only to hot data that requires protection (partial action). This partial approach to encryption maintains security efficiency while reducing the overall complexity of data management.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances data security by efficiently encrypting and protecting sensitive data and security keys, even in cases of physical tampering or damage, maintaining data integrity and preventing unauthorized access.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing pin connected to a sensing capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a storage device with enhanced security. The storage device includes: a security pad; a non-volatile memory device; and a storage controller including a sensing pin connected to the security pad. The storage controller is configured to: classify data corresponding to an input/output request for the non-volatile memory device as hot data or cold data, based on an access frequency with respect to the data; encrypt write data to be stored in the non-volatile memory device; and perform a data protection operation of encrypting the hot data, based on a signal change at the sensing pin according to a change in electrical contact of a physical sensing structure, the physical sensing structure including the security pad and a locking structure. A locking structure in electrical contact with a security pad extends through a through hole defined in the substrate.