Anneal – Real-Time Embedded Hypervisor with Anti-Tamper Protections

The complexity of software in embedded applications from the Internet of Things (IoT) to critical weapons systems has continued to grow. With the growth comes new areas of concern for security and robustness. Specific to security of weapons systems which contain Critical Program Information (CPI), this information must be protected at rest, in motion, and during use. While CPI protection is traditionally considered an anti-tamper function, additional cybersecurity requirements can require specific handling of data (e.g. red/black separation in crypto systems, cross-domain in Multiple Independent Level of Security (MILS) systems). In addition, these security requirements may also need to be balanced with real-time requirements to operate a cyber-physical system. There is an opportunity to bridge the disciplines of cybersecurity, anti-tamper, and real-time systems to enable a new generation of highly secure embedded systems. Secmation proposes Anneal, a real-time embedded hypervisor with anti-tamper protections, as a Bare-Metal Hypervisor (BMHy) solution bringing technologies in security, real-time, and embedded software design together. Secmation’s Anneal will protect CPI and add cyber-resilience to embedded systems through an innovative hypervisor design philosophy leveraging advanced anti-tamper technologies, hardware security features available in modern processors, real-time performance, and high assurance software architectures. Approved for Public Release | 20-MDA-10643 (3 Dec 20)