Dell products l.p. (20240095009). GRANULAR LOCKDOWN OF OPERATING SYSTEM BASED FIRMWARE UPDATES simplified abstract

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GRANULAR LOCKDOWN OF OPERATING SYSTEM BASED FIRMWARE UPDATES

Organization Name

dell products l.p.

Inventor(s)

Mukund P. Khatri of Austin TX (US)

William C. Munger of Round Rock TX (US)

GRANULAR LOCKDOWN OF OPERATING SYSTEM BASED FIRMWARE UPDATES - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240095009 titled 'GRANULAR LOCKDOWN OF OPERATING SYSTEM BASED FIRMWARE UPDATES

Simplified Explanation

The abstract of the patent application describes an information handling system that prevents firmware updates for devices whose identifiers are stored in protected memory.

  • The system includes a protected memory that stores identifiers of locked down devices.
  • It receives a firmware update package for a device within the system.
  • The firmware update package contains a firmware update for the device.
  • The system checks if the device's identifier is in the protected memory.
  • If the identifier is found, the system blocks the firmware update for the device.

Potential Applications

This technology could be applied in industries where secure firmware updates are crucial, such as healthcare, finance, and government sectors.

Problems Solved

This technology prevents unauthorized firmware updates on devices, enhancing security and protecting sensitive information from potential breaches.

Benefits

The system provides an additional layer of security by restricting firmware updates for specific devices, ensuring data integrity and system stability.

Potential Commercial Applications

  • Secure data storage solutions
  • Government and military communication systems
  • Financial institutions' network security measures

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art could be systems that restrict software updates based on device identifiers, but the specific implementation of storing identifiers in protected memory may be unique to this patent application.

What are the potential security implications of this technology?

This technology could significantly enhance security by preventing unauthorized firmware updates, reducing the risk of malware injection and data breaches.

How does this technology impact device management in large-scale deployments?

This technology streamlines device management by ensuring that only authorized firmware updates are applied, reducing the potential for errors and system vulnerabilities.


Original Abstract Submitted

an information handling system includes a protected memory that stores identifiers of locked down devices. the system receives a firmware update package for a device within the information handling system. the firmware update package includes a firmware update for the device. the system determines whether an identifier for the device is located within protected memory. if the identifier for the device is located within the protected memory, then the system prevents the firmware update for the device.