Inside Secure

Atmel Rousset S.a.s.

Inside Contactless S.a.

Alexandre Croguennec

Majid Kaabouch

Yves Fusella

Eric Le Cocquen

Carine Lefort

Alain Peytavy

A data storage device may include one or more pages, each page having a fixed number of memory cells, each memory cell being adapted to store one unit of data; a verification page, the verification page having a corresponding fixed number of verification cells, each verification cell storing a predetermined value; and a controller configured to 1) receive a read command having an address value, and 2) upon receiving the read command, a) retrieve a predetermined value from a verification cell corresponding to the address value, b) determine whether the retrieved predetermined value is an expected value, and c) if so, providing a retrieved unit of data, and if not, initiating a protective action. Determining whether the retrieved predetermined value is the expected value may include applying a function to the address value to obtain a result and determining whether the result corresponds to the retrieved predetermined value.

Verifying data integrity in a data storage device

This document discloses data security systems and methods of securing data. A cache memory can be connected between a decryption engine and a central processing unit ('CPU') to increase security of encrypted data that is stored in a datastore. The decryption engine can retrieve the encrypted data from the datastore, decrypt the data, and store the decrypted data in the cache. In turn, the decrypted data can be accessed by the CPU. The data can be encrypted with a secret key, so that decryption can be performed with the secret key. The key can be varied based on a memory address associated with the data. The key can be protected by restricting direct access to the decryption engine by the CPU.

Data security

In a device having a plurality of circuits that can store at least a first value and a second value, a method can include configuring at least one circuit to persistently store the first value; determining whether the at least one circuit is storing the second value; and initiating a countermeasure if the at least one circuit is storing the second value. Determining whether the at least one circuit is storing the second value can include detecting whether the device has been attacked. Non-limiting examples of initiating a countermeasure can include resetting a portion of the device, powering down a portion of the device, activating an alarm circuit, causing protected data stored in the device to be erased, causing portions of the device to self-destruct, or causing the device to not respond to input applied to the interface.

Detecting radiation-based attacks

Software can be downloaded securely using a multi-encryption method, where the decryption is completed when the software is executed. In one aspect, a multi-encrypted data item is received. One or more of the encryptions on the multi-encrypted data item is decrypted, yielding a partially decrypted data item. The partially decrypted data item is stored in a reserved portion of a storage medium. The partially decrypted data item is fetched from the storage medium and decrypted to yield the data item. The decryption can be performed using one or more circuits that implement multiple decryption processes, including multiple algorithm-key combinations.

Secure software download

Methods, systems, IC packages, and electrical devices for providing data security for ICs. A substrate-on-substrate connector grid array package with an electrical shield can protect sensitive information in a secure IC from being accessed by physical attacks. A current flow in the electrical shield can be monitored for disturbances which can indicate an attack on the IC package.

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Aix en Provence, France

Alexandre Croguennec