Mixed sequencing of polynomial-diverse encryption and decryption operations for side channel attack protection

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems on a chip (SOCs) that prevent side channel attacks (SCAs). An example SoC of this disclosure includes an engine configured to encrypt transmission (Tx) channel data using an encryption operation set configured with a first polynomial, and to decrypt encrypted received (Rx) channel data using a decryption operation set configured with a second polynomial different from the first polynomial. The SoC further includes a security processor configured to multiplex the encryption operation set against the decryption operation set with a varied sequence of selection inputs on a round-by-round basis to generate a mixed sequence of encryption rounds and decryption rounds, and to control the engine to encrypt the Tx channel data and decrypt the encrypted Rx channel data in a combined datapath according to the mixed sequence of encryption rounds and decryption rounds.