System-on-chip data security appliance and methods of operating the same

Abstract

System-on-chip data security appliance ('SoC-DSA') and methods of operating the same. In one embodiment, the SoC-DSA includes data security mechanisms enclosed within a protected boundary of a single chip. In some embodiments, isolation and access control features are hidden within an on-chip field-programmable gate array ('FPGA'). The isolation and access control features can be implemented such that they are not visible to or alterable by software executing on the processing cores of the SoC-DSA, which provides for continued data security even in the presence of software exploitation, such as a malicious implant, that otherwise compromises data security in software-only systems. The SoC-DSA can be used to enhance data security in existing data security devices and protocols, such as high assurance guards (“HAG”) and can be used to create new types of security devices, such as devices enforce alternative human data interactions (“HDI”) models.