Microsoft technology licensing, llc (20240137203). DETECTING AND MITIGATING SIDE CHANNEL ATTACKS WITH RAZOR-FLOPS simplified abstract

DETECTING AND MITIGATING SIDE CHANNEL ATTACKS WITH RAZOR-FLOPS

Organization Name

microsoft technology licensing, llc

Inventor(s)

Bharat S. Pillilli of Sacramento CA (US)

Bryan David Kelly of Carnation WA (US)

Vishal Soni of Bellevue WA (US)

DETECTING AND MITIGATING SIDE CHANNEL ATTACKS WITH RAZOR-FLOPS - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240137203 titled 'DETECTING AND MITIGATING SIDE CHANNEL ATTACKS WITH RAZOR-FLOPS

Simplified Explanation

The techniques disclosed in this patent application involve the use of razor flip-flops to mitigate side-channel attacks on a cryptography function in a target system. The razor flip-flops are inserted into critical paths of the cryptography function, including key vaults, data vaults, registers, and pipelines. Errors detected by the razor flip-flops are processed by error detection logic within the cryptographic function, allowing the calculations to continue until completion. Any generated key and data value pairs resulting from detected errors are discarded without disrupting the calculation process. This digital logic-based implementation reduces complexity and cost.

• Razor flip-flops are inserted into critical paths of a cryptography function to mitigate side-channel attacks.
• Errors detected by the razor flip-flops are processed by error detection logic within the cryptographic function.
• Detected errors do not disrupt the calculation process, allowing it to continue until completion.
• Generated key and data value pairs resulting from errors are discarded.
• The implementation is digital logic-based, reducing complexity and cost.

Potential Applications

The technology can be applied in various industries where secure communication and data protection are crucial, such as finance, healthcare, and government sectors.

Problems Solved

1. Mitigates the impact of side-channel attacks on cryptography functions. 2. Enhances the security of sensitive data stored in key vaults and data vaults.

Benefits

1. Improved security against side-channel attacks. 2. Cost-effective implementation with reduced complexity.

Potential Commercial Applications

"Enhancing Data Security with Razor Flip-Flops in Cryptography Functions"

Possible Prior Art

There may be prior art related to the use of error detection logic in cryptographic functions to mitigate side-channel attacks. Research in the field of hardware security and cryptography may have similar approaches to address these issues.

1. 1. 1. Unanswered Questions
         1. How does the error detection logic differentiate between genuine errors and side-channel attack attempts?

The error detection logic likely employs algorithms or patterns to distinguish between genuine errors and potential side-channel attacks. Further details on this differentiation process would provide a clearer understanding of the technology's effectiveness.

1. 1. 1. 1. Are there any performance trade-offs associated with the insertion of razor flip-flops in critical paths of the cryptography function?

While the patent application mentions that the calculations continue until completion even after error detection, it would be beneficial to know if there are any performance implications or delays introduced by the use of razor flip-flops in the system. Understanding the impact on system performance would be essential for potential adopters of this technology.

Original Abstract Submitted

the techniques disclosed herein are directed to devices, circuits, systems, and techniques to mitigate the impact of side-channel attacks on a cryptography function in a target system. the razor flip-flops are inserted into critical paths of the cryptography function of the target system, including at rest blocks such as key vaults and data vaults, and also including registers and/or pipelines used for calculations within the cryptography functions. errors detected by the razor flip-flops are processed by error detection logic in the cryptographic function, which continues the calculations until completion. the generated key and data value pairs resulting from detected errors are discarded, silently ignored without disrupting the calculation process. the schemes disclosed herein mitigate the impact of side-channel attacks with a digital logic based implementation, with reduced complexity and reduced cost.