Collection of diagnostic information in a device

A method for collecting diagnostic information in a device having a rich execution environment (REE) and a secure element, the method comprising:

• continuously capturing and storing, during an active mode of the REE, the diagnostic information in a circular buffer having a configurable number of entries;
• detecting a reinitialization of the device;
• determining that the reinitialization of the device was a result of a potential security related event in the secure element;
• activating a near-field communication (NFC) component in the REE responsible for communication with the secure element;
• sending a request, by the secure element, to the NFC component for the diagnostic information collected in the REE, the diagnostic information comprising one or more sensor readings and system configuration information for a predetermined time period relative to the potential security related event in the secure element;
• receiving, by the secure element, the diagnostic information from the NFC component;
• generating an attack log in the secure element;
• and
• communicating the attack log with the diagnostic information to a secure server via a secure channel.

A hardware device comprising:

• a rich execution environment (REE) comprising:
• a processor configured to provide a communication function for the REE;
• and
• an event monitor comprising a history buffer configured to collect and store diagnostic information related to operation of the REE;
• and
• a secure element configured to collect diagnostic information from the REE via the communication function in response to detecting a potential security related event in the secure element, the secure element comprising:
• an attack log for storing the potential security related event and the diagnostic information;
• and
• an input/output circuit configured to connect the hardware device to a secure server via a secure channel and for communicating the attack log with the diagnostic information to the secure server.