Balancing Test Requirements with SOC Security

Balancing Test Requirements with SOC Security
by Tom Simon on 03-17-2022 at 6:00 am

Secure Test for SOCs

Typically, there is an existential rift between the on-chip access requirements for test and the need for security in SoCs. Using traditional deterministic scan techniques has meant opening up full read and write access to the flops in a design through the scan chains. Having this kind of access easily defeats the best designed… Read More


Enlisting Entropy to Generate Secure SoC Root Keys

Enlisting Entropy to Generate Secure SoC Root Keys
by Tom Simon on 12-06-2021 at 6:00 am

NVM attacks

Most methods of securing SOCs involve storing a root key that provides the basis of all derived keys and encryption of communication. The weakness with these methods is that even if the root key is stored in secure non-volatile memory, there are often methods to read the key. Once a key has been divulged the device can be cloned and … Read More


Software Security is Necessary but NOT Sufficient

Software Security is Necessary but NOT Sufficient
by Dr. Jason Oberg on 06-30-2016 at 12:00 pm

As the silicon designs inside the connected devices of the Internet of Things transition from specifications to tapeouts, electronics companies have come to the stark realization that software security is simply not adequate. Securing silicon is now a required, not optional, part of RTL design processes.… Read More