Protection of data stored in a volatile memory

A device, comprising:

• a first volatile memory;
• a non-volatile memory;
• and
• cold-boot detection circuitry configured to:
• transfer a pattern stored in the non-volatile memory to the first volatile memory;
• and
• periodically,
• power down and power up the first volatile memory;
• generate an indication of a number of errors in the first volatile memory;
• compare the indication of the number of errors to one or more thresholds indicative of whether a cold-boot attack is occurring;
• and
• detect an occurrence of a cold-boot attack based on the comparison of the indication of the number of errors to the one or more thresholds indicative of whether a cold-boot attack is occurring.

A system, comprising:

• a first volatile memory;
• a second volatile memory, which, in operation, stores secure data;
• a non-volatile memory;
• and
• cold-boot detection circuitry coupled to the first volatile memory and the non-volatile memory, wherein the cold-boot detection circuitry, in operation:
• transfers a pattern stored in the non-volatile memory to the first volatile memory;
• and
• periodically,
• interrupts power supplied to the first volatile memory independent of power supplied to the second volatile memory;
• generates an indication of a number of errors in the first volatile memory resulting from the interruption of the power supplied to the first volatile memory;
• compares the indication of the number of errors to one or more thresholds indicative of whether a cold-boot attack is occurring;
• and
• detects an occurrence of a cold-boot attack based on the comparison of the indication of the number of errors to the one or more thresholds indicative of whether a cold-boot attack is occurring.