Method and apparatus for securing memory modules

A memory system for storing data, the memory system comprising:

• a memory module having at least one memory device configured to store data, the memory module having a voltage regulator having circuitry and logic for supplying voltage levels to the at least one memory device to control reading and writing operations to the at least one memory device wherein the voltage regulator has a first state that permits write and read operations with the at least one memory device, and a second state where the voltage regulator prevents at least read operations with the at least one memory device;
• the voltage regulator comprising:
• read only memory to store an encryption key;
• a voltage regulator register for receiving and storing the encryption key from the read only memory;
• an encryption timer for setting a time period;
• a voltage regulator secure controller for controlling voltage levels supplied to the at least one memory device and having logic for comparing an encryption key value received by the voltage regulator to the encryption key in the voltage regulator register;
• wherein the voltage regulator is configured to:
• store in read only memory on the voltage regulator the encryption key value;
• copy the encryption key value from the read only memory on the voltage regulator to the voltage regulator register;
• set the voltage regulator encryption timer for the period of time;
• and
• transition the voltage regulator to the second state in response to the period of time of the voltage regulator encryption timer expiring.

A memory system for storing data, the memory system comprising:

• a memory module comprising a plurality of memory devices having circuitry and logic configured to store data, and a voltage regulator having circuitry and logic configured to supply voltage levels to the plurality of memory devices,
• wherein the voltage regulator comprises:
• read only memory to store an encryption key;
• a register for receiving and storing the encryption key from the read only memory;
• an encryption timer for setting a time period;
• a secure controller for controlling voltage levels supplied to the plurality of memory devices and having logic for comparing an encryption key value received by the voltage regulator to the encryption key in the voltage regulator register,
• wherein the voltage regulator is configured to:
• supply voltage levels to the plurality of memory devices to control reading and writing operations to the plurality of memory devices wherein the voltage regulator has a first state that permits write and read operations with the plurality of memory devices, and a second state where the voltage regulator prevents at least read operations with the plurality of memory devices;
• store in read only memory on the voltage regulator the encryption key value;
• copy the encryption key value from the read only memory on the voltage regulator to the voltage regulator register;
• set the voltage regulator encryption timer for the period of time;
• receive a host encryption key from a system remote from the memory module;
• compare the host encryption key to the encryption key value in the voltage regulator register;
• in response to the host encryption key matching the encryption key value, re-set the voltage regulator encryption timer so that the voltage regulator remains in the first state;
• in response to the host encryption key not matching the encryption key value, not re-setting the voltage regulator encryption timer;
• in response to the period of time that the encryption timer is set to run expiring, transition the voltage regulator to the second state;
• and
• in response to transitioning to the second state, the voltage regulator changes the voltage level supplied by the voltage regulator to the plurality of memory devices to a low voltage level state rendering the data on the plurality of memory devices unaccessible.