Secure removable hardware with puf

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing a secure hardware component for protecting cryptographic keys used in relation to a client device by using a Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) and, in some embodiments, client device authorization. In one embodiment, the secure hardware component comprises an Input/Output (I/O) port, a key generation subsystem, and a cryptographic module. The key generation subsystem comprises the PUF and receives first data related to at least one cryptographic algorithm from the client device, via the I/O port, and generates a key for the at least one cryptographic algorithm in accordance with the first data using the PUF. The cryptographic module receives second data from the client device and generates third data based on the second data and the key, and provides the third data to the client device. Accordingly, the client device is better protected from external attacks.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.