Hardware Security
Which describes the tamper resistance required of security chips such as smart cards?
- AThe property of not breaking when wet
- BThe property of protecting internal secrets by making physical attacks such as opening the chip or probing difficult, and erasing keys when tampering is detected
- CThe property of running fast at high temperature
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. The property of protecting internal secrets by making physical attacks such as opening the chip or probing difficult, and erasing keys when tampering is detected
Tamper resistance is the ability to withstand attempts to extract secrets by deprocessing the chip or probing internal wiring. Countermeasures combine detecting cuts in a metal mesh (shield) covering the surface, detecting abnormal light, temperature or voltage, encrypting or scrambling internal buses and layout, and erasing keys when an anomaly is detected. Evaluation also covers resistance to side-channel and fault injection attacks.
- A. It is not waterproofing.
- B. Correct. It is resistance against physical attack.
- C. It is not about speed.