Hardware-assisted Software Anti-Tamper

Computer systems are lacking adequate security properties as demonstrated by the increase in system failure and service disruptions over the last few years. In response to an evolving threat environment AFCO Systems Development (ASD) proposes an adaptable and field upgradeable Global Information Grid (GIG) System Security Monitor (SSM) that contains a PCI co-processor card, reconfigurable hardware, firmware, and host-based software to accomplish its mission. The SSM represents a hybrid system monitoring architecture that can be tailored to a large assortment of platforms. This flexibility is especially important within the context of DOD¡¦s net-centric warfare concepts where autonomous decision-making has moved into the battle space. In this vision every device becomes a potential threat as an attack vector or intelligence tool. The SSM provides a chain of trust that starts with its own secure boot and extends to the host operating system, applications and data. Its reconfigurable logic provides a self-defense mechanism as well as secure functionality that can be quickly upgraded and extended. Edge nodes that are fortified with the SSM will be able to protect themselves, respond to interrogations relative to the node¡¦s trustworthiness and protect its host. The SSM provides Security to the Edge.