Memory device with cryptographic kill switch
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorGil Golov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosed embodiments describe devices and methods for preventing unauthorized access to memory devices. The disclosed embodiments utilize a one-time programmable (OTP) memory added to both a memory device and a processing device. The OTP memory stores encryption keys and the encryption and decryption of messages between the two devices are used as a heartbeat to determine that the memory device has not been separated from the processing device and, in some instances, connected to a malicious processing device.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- transmitting, by a memory device, an encrypted command to a processing device;
- receiving, by the memory device, a response from the processing device;
- decrypting, by the memory device, the response;
- detecting, by the memory device, that the decrypting failed;
- and
- disabling, by the memory device, a command/address interface in response to detecting that the decrypting failed.
A device comprising:
- a memory array;
- control logic communicatively coupled to the memory array;
- a one-time programmable (OTP) memory bank, the OTP storing at least one key;
- and
- authentication logic the authentication logic configured to:
- transmit an encrypted command to a processing device,
- receive a response from the processing device,
- decrypt the response,
- detect that the decrypting failed, and
- disable a command/address interface of the control logic in response to detecting that the decrypting failed.
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium for tangibly storing computer program instructions capable of being executed by a processor, the computer program instructions defining the steps of:
- transmitting an encrypted command to a processing device;
- receiving a response from the processing device;
- decrypting the response;
- detecting that the decrypting failed;
- and
- disabling a command/address interface in response to detecting that the decrypting failed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.