Trusted IoT Device Platform with Security Processor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern IoT devices lack trusted computing capabilities, making them vulnerable to malicious attacks, especially with the increasing number of interconnected devices in IoT networks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a trusted IoT device platform with a security processor, encrypted memory, and security primitives to establish 'roots of trust' within IoT devices, enabling secure communication and operation, while allowing less trusted nodes to connect with restricted access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If IoT devices are interconnected to form networks, then the functionality and data collection capabilities are improved, but the vulnerability to malicious attacks increases due to lack of trusted computing capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIoT network functionalityVSAvoidvulnerability to malicious attacks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the IoT device architecture into distinct trusted computing components (security processor, encrypted memory, roots of trust) separate from the main processing units. This segmentation isolates security-critical functions into dedicated hardware modules, preventing malicious code from compromising the entire system and enabling secure communication while maintaining network functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary trusted computing layer (security processor with roots of trust) that mediates between untrusted network communications and protected device resources. This intermediary verifies the authenticity of communicating devices and protects sensitive operations, allowing IoT devices to participate in networks while maintaining security boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If trusted computing capabilities are added to IoT devices, then security against malicious attacks is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against malicious attacksVSAvoidtrusted computing architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple security functions (roots of trust, encrypted memory, security processor, authentication mechanisms) into an integrated trusted computing platform within the IoT device. This consolidation provides comprehensive security protection while managing complexity through unified architecture design, allowing devices to resist malicious attacks without requiring separate independent security systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10552621B2Establishing hardware roots of trust for Internet-of-Things devices

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 INTEL CORP

AI summary

An Internet-of-Things (IoT) device platform to communicate in a trusted portion of an IoT network is disclosed. The trusted IoT platform can include a secure IoT system-on-chip (SoC) and can be integrated into various devices such that each of the devices may implement “roots of trust” to establish a trusted portion, or a trusted backbone, of the IoT network.