Modular tamper resistant enclosure for secure systems

Abstract

An active membrane creates a secure area around one or more devices. The active membrane forms a physical barrier between the encased secure area and an external environment. Linked to the membrane and acting as the sole interface between the secure area and the outside environment is a boundary interface. The boundary interface tunnels data to the secure area in a secure fashion. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the boundary interface utilizes symmetric and/or asymmetric cryptographic techniques to secure the data path. The boundary interface is also coupled to the active membrane, and upon the membrane sensing a breach of the membrane (thus signifying an intrusion of the secure area), the boundary interface can be configured to sever the data paths linking the secure area with the unsecured area as well as take other active steps to ensure that data within the secure area is not compromised.