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Technology Description:
CRIPTC directly executes encrypted code to prevent a third party from reverse engineering code even under the most advanced tamper techniques. CRIPTC is also a new form of concurrent processor well suited to serve multiple processing streams and integer processing – a very desirable feature in unmanned sensor fields, robots, smart missiles and other control units with multiple sensors. This unique architecture resists probing attacks at the instruction issue point and on instruction caches, attack points often used to capture a binary. Its small footprint permits anti-tamper implementation in applications not feasible using alternative means.
Coding for CRIPTC starts with common programming languages (C and C++) and developer environments (GCC, Visual Studio, etc.). The first stage of the CRIPTC Cryptosynthesis Compiler converts assembly output from these environments into the CRIPTC assembly language. The CRIPTC Stage Assembly Generator then generates encrypted code for each execution stage. CRIPTC stage code (comparable to machine code in a conventional processor) integrates encrypted opcodes and crypto mapping keys for encoding outputs.
Each stage is comprised of concurrent instructions that execute uniquely encrypted instruction codes. Thus, stage codes reconfigure the machine on every stage cycle and also encode results to match their future use.
The encoding control structure and intermediate language allows selection from a wide range of conventional RISC-based assembly languages, even a totally private one. This stage assembler includes an initialization routine for defining the machine model and a unique opcode key that customizes code to individual machines or models of machines.
The CRIPTC target product is a 32-instruction by 32-bit machine with the Cryptosynthesis Environment which generates encrypted CRIPTC code from conventional assembly environment. Performance is not significantly impaired as it performs a stage of 32 instructions in 1 to 32 clocks. A conventional machine, with a similar 32-bit word, performs 32 instructions in 32 clocks.
Accord is presently executing a Phase II SBIR project with two target outcomes: (1) a validated logic net-list for a CRIPTC embedded microcontroller and (2) the Cryptosynthesis Environment. The CRIPTC microcontroller net-list will be suitable as a standalone ASIC design or for System-on-Chip designs. The ASIC targets small circuit boards for use in distributed units such as missiles, robots, instruments, and sensors.
CRIPTC technology results in a capable microprocessor suitable for general and cryptographic use in remote, unmanned situations. CRIPTC improves tamper proofing by reducing the tamper footprint due to the extremely low risk of probing at the instruction issue point. Probing of instruction issue and side-channel attacks, both major threats to standard encryption schemes, are unsuccessful on this secure processor. Electromagnetic probes cannot depend upon time averaging of stage operations because new encryptions occur for each stage and asynchronous operation.
Accord’s Anti-Tamper Technologies include its Reconfigurable Architecture for Software Protection (RASP). RASP offers a virtually impermeable level of cryptographic protection for distribution, storage and delivery to a processor. This protects high value binary executables against a brute force attack and compromise via reverse engineering. RASP is a strong alternative for delivering CRIPTC code.
The use of these anti-tamper technologies in any system containing critical technology and/or critical program information will have great benefits to protecting both military and commercial proprietary secrets.
Benefits:
Accord’s CRIPTC technology provides Anti-Tamper Protection of Critical Technologies as required by DoD Directive 5200.39. This directive defines Critical Program Information as “information, technologies, or systems, that, if compromised would degrade combat effectiveness, shorten the expected compact effective life of a system, or alter program direction.”
A key benefit of Accord’s CRIPTC technology is that the footprint costs of achieving tamper-resistant engineering are significantly reduced over the costs of conventional protection means to achieve the same levels of security. The significantly smaller, lighter, lower-power CRIPTC extends anti-tamper capabilities to hither-to-for impractical secure applications.
The benefits to both military and commercial organizations needing to protect critical technologies or critical program information are substantial. CRIPTC’s ability to directly execute encrypted instructions significantly reduces the threat of third-party penetration of military secrets, and allows the footprint for a protected secure processor to be significantly reduced – thereby also limiting the risk of intrusion.
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