Abstract: An electric physical unclonable function (PUF) (100) is provided comprising a semiconductor memory element (110) connectable to a PUF control means for reading content from the memory element and for deriving at least in part from said content a digital identifier, such as a secret key. Upon powering the memory element it settles into one of at least two different stable states. The particular stable state into which the memory element settles is dependent at least in part upon random physical characteristics of the memory element introduced during manufacture of the memory element. Settling of the memory element is further dependent upon a control input (112) of the memory element.

Abstract: A distribution system and method for distributing digital information is provided, which has high recoverability from a security breach. The distribution system comprises a server (200) and a computing device (110). During an enrollment phase, the computing device obtains a first response from an integrated physically unclonable function (150) integrated in the computing device. The system comprises an enrollment module (130) for determining helper data from a decryption key and the first response to enable later reconstruction of the decryption key from the helper data and a second response obtained from the physically unclonable function. During a reconstruction phase, which occurs after the enrollment phase and typically after a security breach has occurred that revealed data and/or programming code of the computing device, the server may encrypt digital information using an encryption module (220) with a cryptographic encryption key corresponding to the decryption key.

Abstract: An electronic system (100) having a memory (1 12, 1 14, 1 16) with multiple memory locations, each specific memory location of the multiple memory locations being arranged to produce a respective value, the respective value depending on a physical, at least partially random, configuration of components constructing the specific memory location, the electronic system comprises a key extraction means (130) arranged to retrieve multiple values in a first order from the multiple memory locations and for determining a reproducible cryptographic key in dependency on the multiple values, characterized in that the electronic system further comprises a re-ordering (120) means in between the memory and the key extraction means for providing the multiple values to the key extraction means in a second order, different from the first order, prior to determining the cryptographic key.

Abstract: Systems for generating an identifying response pattern comprising a memory (120) used as a physically unclonable function configured for generating a response pattern dependent on physical, at least partially random characteristics of said memory may be vulnerable to freezing attacks and to aging. A memory-overwriting device (110) configured for overwriting at least a first portion of the plurality of memory locations to obscure the response pattern in the memory avoids freezing attacks. An anti-degradation device (160) configured to write to each respective location of a second portion of the plurality of memory locations an inverse of a response previously read from the memory reduces the effects of aging.

Abstract: A random number generating system for generating a sequence of random numbers comprising a memory, the memory being writable, volatile and configured such that the memory contains an at least partially random memory content upon each powering-up of the memory, an instantiating unit configured for seeding the random number generating system with a seed dependent upon the at least partially random memory content, the sequence of random numbers being generated in dependence upon the seed, and an over-writing unit configured for over-writing at least part of the memory with random numbers generated by the random number generating system in dependence upon the seed.

Abstract: A physical unclonable function is provided 100, comprising a plurality of bus-keepers 110, each bus-keeper of the plurality of bus-keepers 110 being configured to settle into one of at least two different stable states upon power-up, the particular stable state into which a particular bus-keeper of the plurality of bus-keepers settles being dependent at least in part upon the at least partially random physical characteristics of the particular bus-keeper, and a reading circuit 120 for reading the plurality of stable states into which the plurality of bus-keepers settled after a power-up, the plurality of bus-keepers being read-only.

Abstract: An electric physical unclonable function (PUF) (100) is provided comprising a semiconductor memory element (110) connectable to a PUF control means for reading content from the memory element and for deriving at least in part from said content a digital identifier, such as a secret key. Upon powering the memory element it settles into one of at least two different stable states. The particular stable state into which the memory element settles is dependent at least in part upon random physical characteristics of the memory element introduced during manufacture of the memory element. Settling of the memory element is further dependent upon a control input (112) of the memory element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for providing digital security by means of a reconfigurable physical uncloneable function, RPUF. The RPUF comprises a physical system constituted by distributed components arranged to generate a first response when receiving a first challenge at a point of the physical system. The physical reconfiguring of the RPUF comprises redistributing the components such that they generate a second response, which differs from said first response, when again applying the first challenge at the point. The reconfiguration step is further utilized in providing secure storage for digital items. The digital item is data of any kind, including data that needs to be accessed and updated, i.e. which is dynamic in nature. The method is exemplified by implementations such as secure storage of a key, a secure counter and a seed generator.

Abstract: A method for alleviating burn-in effect and enabling performing a start-up process in respect of a device comprising a plurality of challengeable memory elements, wherein the memory elements are able to, upon start-up, generate a response pattern of start-up values useful for identification as the response pattern depends on physical characteristics of the memory elements, the method comprising the step of, after start-up of the memory elements, writing a data pattern to the memory elements which is inverse to a response pattern that was previously read from the same memory elements. Thus, degradation of the PMOS transistors due to NBTI can be alleviated.

Abstract: A method of and device for granting access to content on a storage medium, including obtaining cryptographic data from a property, such as a wobble, of the storage medium, reading helper data from the storage medium, and granting the access based on an application of a delta-contracting function to the cryptographic data and the helper data. The delta-contracting function allows the choice of an appropriate value of the helper data, such that any value of the cryptographic data which sufficiently resembles the original primary input value leads to the same output value. Substantially different values of the cryptographic data lead to different values of the output.

Abstract: A method of generating a response to a physically unclonable function, said response being uniquely representative of the identity of a device having challengeable memory, the memory comprising a plurality of logical locations each having at least two possible logical states, the method comprising applying a challenge signal to an input of said memory so as to cause each of said logical locations to enter one of said two possible logical states and thereby generate a response pattern of logical states, said response pattern being dependent on said physically unclonable function which is defined by, the physical characteristics of said memory, the method further comprising reading out said response pattern.

Abstract: A physical random function (PUF) is a function that is easy to evaluate but hard to characterize. Controlled physical random functions (CPUFs) are PUFs that can only be accessed via a security program controlled by a security algorithm that is physically bound to the PUF in an inseparable way. CPUFs enable certified execution, where a certificate is produced that proves that a specific computation was carried out on a specific processor. The invention provides an additional layer for generating a proof of execution which any third party can verify. This proof of execution is also useful to provide secure memory and secure interruptible program execution.

Abstract: A group of devices are fabricated based on a common design, each device having a corresponding plurality of measurable characteristics that is unique in the group to that device, each device having a measurement module for measuring the measurable characteristics. Authentication of one of the group of devices is enabled by selective measurement of one or more of the plurality of measurable characteristics of the device.