Abstract: A system comprising a first logic adapted to use qualifiers received from a component to determine which of a plurality of storages matches the qualifiers, the first logic generates a first signal indicative of a storage matching the qualifiers. The system also comprises a second logic coupled to the first logic and adapted to use a target address received from the component to determine which of the plurality of storages matches the target address, the second logic generates a second signal indicative of a storage matching the target address. Another logic is adapted to determine whether the storage associated with the first signal matches the storage associated with the second signal. The qualifiers indicate security mode attributes associated with the component.

Abstract: A computing platform (10) protects system firmware (30) using a manufacturer certificate (36). The manufacturer certificate binds the system firmware (30) to the particular computing platform (10). The manufacturer certificate also stores configuration parameters and device identification numbers. A secure run-time platform data checker (200) and a secure run-time checker (202) check the system firmware during operation of the computing platform (10) to ensure that the system firmware (30) or information in the manufacturer certificate (36) has not been altered. Application software files (32) and data files (34) are bound to the particular computing device (10) by a platform certificate (38). Configuration parameters may be stored in a data file (34) with an associated platform certificate (38).

Abstract: A system comprising a first logic adapted to use qualifiers received from a component to determine which of a plurality of storages matches the qualifiers, the first logic generates a first signal indicative of a storage matching the qualifiers. The system also comprises a second logic coupled to the first logic and adapted to use a target address received from the component to determine which of the plurality of storages matches the target address, the second logic generates a second signal indicative of a storage matching the target address. Another logic is adapted to determine whether the storage associated with the first signal matches the storage associated with the second signal. The qualifiers indicate security mode attributes associated with the component.

Abstract: A computing platform (10) protects system firmware (30) using a manufacturer certificate (36). The manufacturer certificate binds the system firmware (30) to the particular computing platform (10). The manufacturer certificate may also store configuration parameters and device identification numbers. A secure run-time platform data checker (200) and a secure run-time checker (202) check the system firmware during operation of the computing platform (10) to ensure that the system firmware (30) or information in the manufacturer certificate (36) has not been altered. Application software files (32) and data files (34) are bound to the particular computing device (10) by a platform certificate (38). A key generator may be used to generate a random key and an encrypted key may be generated by encrypting the random key using a secret identification number associated with the particular computing platform (10). Only the encrypted key is stored in the platform certificate (36).

Abstract: A computing platform (10) protects system firmware (30) using a manufacturer certificate (36). The manufacturer certificate binds the system firmware (30) to the particular computing platform (10). The manufacturer certificate may also store configuration parameters and device identification numbers. A secure run-time platform data checker (200) and a secure run-time checker (202) check the system firmware during operation of the computing platform (10) to ensure that the system firmware (30) or information in the manufacturer certificate (36) has not been altered. Application software files (32) and data files (34) are bound to the particular computing device (10) by a platform certificate (38). A key generator may be used to generate a random key and an encrypted key may be generated by encrypting the random key using a secret identification number associated with the particular computing platform (10). Only the encrypted key is stored in the platform certificate (36).

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a security violation using an error correction code. Some illustrative embodiments may be a method used in a computing system comprising reading a codeword comprising data and an error correction code (ECC) (the ECC associated with the data), deriving an error location polynomial (ELP) from the codeword, determining a total number of codeword errors from the ELP, and preventing access to the data within the codeword if the total number of codeword errors exceeds a maximum number of correctable errors.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying and preventing security violations within a computing system. Some exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising monitoring activity on a core bus coupled to a processor core (the processor core operating in a computing system), identifying activity on the core bus as a security violation, and preventing execution of an instruction within the processor core in response to the security violation.

Abstract: A computing system comprising a processor having a first and second bus (the processor on a first semiconductor die mounted within a semiconductor package), a monitoring device coupled to both the first and second bus of the processor (the monitoring device on the first semiconductor die mounted within the semiconductor package), a memory coupled to the processor via the first bus (coupled to the monitoring device via a security signal, the memory on a second semiconductor die mounted within the semiconductor package), and a user interface external of the semiconductor package (the user interface coupled to the processor via the second data and instruction bus). The monitoring device checks one or both of the first and second busses to determine whether a secure mode entry sequence is delivered to the processor. The first bus and the security signal are only coupled to and accessible by devices within the semiconductor package.

Abstract: A method and system of verifying proper execution of a secure mode entry sequence. At least some of the exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising delivering an instruction from a memory to a processor across an instruction bus (the instruction at least partially configures the processor for secure mode of operation different that privilege modes of the processor), verifying delivery of the instruction across the instruction bus, and checking for proper execution of the instruction using a trace port of the processor.

Abstract: A method and system of ensuring integrity of a secure mode entry sequence. At least some of the exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising transferring a plurality of instructions to a microprocessor, wherein the instructions prepare the processor for entry into a secure mode of operation. The instructions comprise flushing the processor pipelines and removing contents of at least some processor caches and buffers.

Abstract: A method comprising downloading a boot image onto a mobile communication device and generating a device-bound certificate (“DBC”). The DBC preferably comprises an authentication code generated using a hashed message authentication code algorithm and a key specific to the device. The method may further comprise storing the DBC on the boot image, thus binding the boot image to the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A computing platform (10) protects system firmware (30) using a manufacturer certificate (36). The manufacturer certificate binds the system firmware (30) to the particular computing platform (10). The manufacturer certificate may also store configuration parameters and device identification numbers. A secure run-time platform data checker (200) and a secure run-time checker (202) check the system firmware during operation of the computing platform (10) to ensure that the system firmware (30) or information in the manufacturer certificate (36) has not been altered. Application software files (32) and data files (34) are bound to the particular computing device (10) by a platform certificate (38). A key generator may be used to generate a random key and an encrypted key may be generated by encrypting the random key using a secret identification number associated with the particular computing platform (10). Only the encrypted key is stored in the platform certificate (36).

Abstract: A computing platform (10) protects system firmware (30) using a manufacturer certificate (36). The manufacturer certificate binds the system firmware (30) to the particular computing platform (10). The manufacturer certificate may also store configuration parameters and device identification numbers. A secure run-time platform data checker (200) and a secure run-time checker (202) check the system firmware during operation of the computing platform (10) to ensure that the system firmware (30) or information in the manufacturer certificate (36) has not been altered. Application software files (32) and data files (34) are bound to the particular computing device (10) by a platform certificate (38). A key generator may be used to generate a random key and an encrypted key may be generated by encrypting the random key using a secret identification number associated with the particular computing platform (10). Only the encrypted key is stored in the platform certificate (36).

Abstract: A computing platform (10) protects system firmware (30) using a manufacturer certificate (36). The manufacturer certificate binds the system firmware (30) to the particular computing platform (10). The manufacturer certificate also stores configuration parameters and device identification numbers. A secure run-time platform data checker (200) and a secure run-time checker (202) check the system firmware during operation of the computing platform (10) to ensure that the system firmware (30) or information in the manufacturer certificate (36) has not been altered. Application software files (32) and data files (34) are bound to the particular computing device (10) by a platform certificate (38). Configuration parameters may be stored in a data file (34) with an associated platform certificate (38).

Abstract: A computing platform (10) protects system firmware (30) using a manufacturer certificate (36). The manufacturer certificate binds the system firmware (30) to the particular computing platform (10). The manufacturer certificate may also store configuration parameters and device identification numbers. A secure run-time platform data checker (200) and a secure run-time checker (202) check the system firmware during operation of the computing platform (10) to ensure that the system firmware (30) or information in the manufacturer certificate (36) has not been altered. Application software files (32) and data files (34) are bound to the particular computing device (10) by a platform certificate (38). A key generator may be used to generate a random key and an encrypted key may be generated by encrypting the random key using a secret identification number associated with the particular computing platform (10). Only the encrypted key is stored in the platform certificate (36).