Method for protecting a security module and arrangement for the implementation of the method

US6952777B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Francotyp-Postalia GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Peter Post · Berlin, DE
• Dirk Rosenau · Berlin, DE
• Torsten Schlaaff · Panketal, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 10, 2000
• Grant date: Oct 4, 2005
• Expiry date: Mar 10, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07B2017/00967
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for protecting a security module includes the steps of monitoring proper insertion of the module on a device motherboard with first, second and third function units, erasing sensitive data due to an improper use or a replacement of the module with the second function unit, inhibiting the functionality of the module with the third function unit during a replacement of the security module, re-initializing the previously erased, sensitive data following proper use or replacement of the security module, and re-commissioning by enabling the function units of the security module. An arrangement implementation of the method has an unplugged status detection unit that has a circuit for resettable self-holding of a status indicator, the self-holding being triggered when the voltage level on a test voltage line deviates from a predetermined potential. A processor connected to the other function units and is programmed to identify and modify the status of the security module.