ARMONK, N.Y., July
24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that
its engineers have been granted a patent on an approach for
utilizing the inherent structure of a printed circuit board (PCB)
to protect cryptographic keys and codes in a manner that is
designed to be highly tamper-resistant. The patented system does
not require extensive use of resin or other materials to encase a
module or package containing keys and codes, thereby providing the
opportunity for significant improvement in manufacturing yield, as
well as a decrease in repairs needed in the field due to package
reliability. The invention could help protect keys and codes that
encrypt data stored on any platform whether your data is in the
cloud or an enterprise storage system.
Protecting cryptographic keys and codes that are used to encrypt
and decrypt data is fundamental to effective information security.
When cryptographic keys and codes are stored on modules within an
electronic device, preventing physical tampering or access to those
modules is important to help prevent the keys and codes from being
compromised.
IBM was granted U.S. Patent 8,938,627: Multilayer
securing structure and method thereof for the protection of
cryptographic keys and code for this invention.
Traditional approaches to prevent tampering have typically
involved encasing or "potting" modules in a plastic or epoxy-like
resin. While these approaches have been generally effective in
preventing tampering, other problems such as the deformation and
warping of circuit boards on which encased modules reside during
resin curing continue to be challenges during manufacturing.
"At IBM, there are teams engaged in inventing and innovation on
data protection and security which are fundamental cornerstones of
our global digital future. We had this in mind when creating this
innovation," said Stefano Oggioni,
Engineering Manager, IBM Systems and co-inventor on the patent.
IBM's patented approach uses circuitry on layers of a PCB or
other laminated structure to encode the cryptographic keys and
codes. Additional layers of the PCB or laminate structure,
which are added above and below the layers containing the keys and
codes, act as physical access barriers. The circuitry
protecting the keys and codes can be placed in random patterns or
locations within the PCB or laminate structure to prevent access or
discovery. The circuitry in the approach is also comprised of
materials which are undetectable via X-ray inspection or acoustic
microscopy thereby further enhancing the security of the keys and
codes.
IBM has been working in this area for decades, and last week
announced IBM Z, the next generation of the world's most powerful
transaction system, capable of running more than 12 billion
encrypted transactions per day. The patented system is part of the
pipeline of technologies reflected in the design of IBM Z and other
IBM Systems.
Chris Blake
IBM Media Relations – Research
1 (415) 613-1120
blakechr@us.ibm.com
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SOURCE IBM