Method and apparatus for providing security in a data processing system
US7542567B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F21/72
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
One embodiment relates to a data processing system having a cryptographic unit. The cryptographic unit includes cryptographic circuitry which performs a first cryptographic function to provide security for a portion of the cryptographic unit, and which performs a second cryptographic function to provide security for a portion of the data processing system external to the cryptographic unit. The cryptographic unit may therefore operate in a normal operating mode and in a secure operating mode. During a first secure operating mode a first key is used to decrypt first security configuration information which includes a second key. During a second secure operating mode, the second key is used to decrypt second security configuration information. The cryptographic unit may include a secure internal memory such that during the secure operating modes, the cryptographic unit may only process descriptors provided from this secure internal memory.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.