Memory device with cryptographic kill switch
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorGil Golov
Life of this patent
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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:
- disabling, by a memory device, an interface in response to detecting that a challenge failed;
- decrypting, by the memory device, a second response;
- scrubbing, by the memory device, a memory bank;
- and
- lowering, by the memory device, a signal on the interface.
A device comprising:
- an interface;
- a memory array having one or more memory banks;
- control logic communicatively coupled to the memory array, the control logic configured to:
- disable an interface in response to detecting that a challenge failed;
- decrypt a second response;
- scrub a memory bank;
- and
- lower a signal on the interface.
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 steps of:
- disabling an interface in response to detecting that a challenge failed;
- decrypting a second response;
- scrubbing a memory bank;
- and
- lowering a signal on the interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.