Method and apparatus for attesting physical attacks

A method implemented at a first device, comprising:

• receiving a first heartbeat message from a neighbor device at a periodic interval, wherein the first heartbeat message is encrypted with a session key of the neighbor device for a current interval, and comprises a first key material for updating the session key of the neighbor device for a next interval;
• and
• decrypting the received first heartbeat message based at least part on a session key of the first device for the current interval;
• and
• determining whether the neighbor device is physically compromised at least based on the first heartbeat message,
• wherein the periodic interval is set to be smaller than a minimum time of a physical attack on the neighbor device.

An apparatus at a first device, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one memory including computer program code, the memory and the computer program code configured to, working with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
• receive a first heartbeat message from a neighbor device at a periodic interval, wherein the first heartbeat message is encrypted with a session key of the neighbor device for a current interval, and comprises a first key material for updating the session key of the neighbor device for a next interval;
• and
• decrypt the received first heartbeat message based at least part on a session key of the first device for the current interval;
• and
• determine whether the neighbor device is physically compromised at least based on the first heartbeat message, wherein the periodic interval is set to be smaller than a minimum time of a physical attack on the neighbor device.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising program instruction for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following:

• receiving a first heartbeat message from a neighbor device at a periodic interval, wherein the first heartbeat message is encrypted with a session key of the neighbor device for a current interval, and comprises a first key material for updating the session key of the neighbor device for a next interval;
• and
• decrypting the received first heartbeat message based at least part on a session key of the apparatus for the current interval;
• and
• determining whether the neighbor device is physically compromised at least based on the first heartbeat message,
• wherein the periodic interval is set to be smaller than a minimum time of a physical attack on the neighbor device.