Tamper-Resistant IC for Secure Device-Specific Data Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for implementing and managing device-specific security data in devices like mobile phones, personal computers, and servers are costly and insecure, particularly when untrusted third parties are involved in manufacturing, as they require extensive security management and may compromise data integrity during network communication.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-resistant electronic circuit is used to securely store and generate device-specific security data, ensuring it remains confined within the circuit during operation, using cryptographic processing to produce security-related data like encryption keys without exposing the secret data externally, thus enhancing security and reducing reliance on trusted third parties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If device-specific security data is stored in external memory or programmable storage, then manufacturing cost is reduced and flexibility is improved, but security protection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the security data management into two segments: a master key stored securely in IC memory that cannot be extracted, and device-specific security data stored in external programmable memory. The IC acts as a secure key manager that processes security operations using the master key without exposing it, while allowing flexible storage of device-specific data externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The IC with the master key acts as an intermediary between the external storage and the security operations. It mediates by performing encryption/decryption and security processing using the protected master key, allowing device-specific data to be stored externally while maintaining security through the IC's controlled access mechanisms.
2Productivity
If third parties are involved in manufacturing devices with security data, then production efficiency is improved, but security management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical security function (master key storage and processing) into a separate, tamper-resistant IC component. This allows the main device manufacturer to outsource device assembly to third parties while the IC manufacturer retains control over the master key, simplifying security management by separating key management from device manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The master key is pre-loaded into the IC during IC manufacturing in a secure environment before the IC is distributed to device manufacturers. This preliminary secure setup eliminates the need for complex security management during device assembly by third parties, as the security-critical data is already in place and protected.
3Ease of operation
If security data is made accessible for configuration and usage, then functionality is improved, but vulnerability to attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IC implements dynamic control over security data access through multiple authentication levels and operational modes. The master key remains permanently protected and inaccessible, while device-specific data can be dynamically configured and accessed based on authentication credentials, allowing functionality while maintaining security through adaptive access control.
Data Source
AI summary
A tamper-resistant electronic circuit is configured for implementation in a device. The electronic circuit securely implements and utilizes device-specific security data during operation in the device, and is basically provided with a tamper-resistantly stored secret not accessible over an external circuit interface. The electronic circuit is also provided with functionality for performing cryptographic processing at least partly in response to the stored secret to generate an instance of device-specific security data that is internally confined within said electronic circuit during usage of the device. The electronic circuit is further configured for performing one or more security-related operations or algorithms in response to the internally confined device-specific security data. In this way, secure implementation and utilization device-specific security data for security purposes can be effectively accomplished. The security is uncompromised since the stored secret is never available outside the electronic circuit, and the device-specific security data is internally confined within the circuit during usage or operation of the device.