IME-IP-340 Inline Memory Encryption (IME) Engine provides just-in-time encryption, decryption and authentication for all memory read and write requests between a host processor and its attached memory. Absent encryption, instruction and data stored in external memory are vulnerable to attack, introspection, or modification as they are loaded and executed.
Historically, inline memory encryption’s performance impact was too great to justify implementation. However, the growing threat environment has raised the stakes for protecting memory data transactions. The Rambus IME-IP-340 Engine mitigates physical attack vectors and does so with high throughput and low latency to make memory encryption viable and practicable.
How the IME-IP-340 Engine Works
The Rambus IME-IP-340 Engine provides encryption, decryption and authentication for all memory read and write requests between a host processor and its attached memory. The IME-IP-340 Engine is instantiated on the host (SoC or FPGA) between the processor logic and the memory controller. The IME-IP-340 Engine is a high-throughput, low latency, military-grade security solution. Its features can be configured at compile and/or runtime.
Introduction to Side-Channel Attacks
Side-channel attacks, including simple power analysis and differential power analysis, conducted against electronic gear are relatively simple and inexpensive to execute. An attacker does not need to know specific implementation details of the cryptographic device to perform these attacks and extract keys. As all physical electronic systems routinely leak information, effective side-channel countermeasures should be implemented at the design stage to ensure protection of sensitive keys and data.
Deep Anti-Tamper Experience
As the inventor and pioneer of DPA and an acknowledged leader in device security, Rambus is uniquely qualified to provide anti-tamper solutions for the most stringent requirements. Rambus technologies protect more than 9 billion chips per year, and as a US-based, independent company, Rambus has the experience and pedigree to be the solution provider of choice. Rambus has for more than 20 years supplied solutions for government and defense applications, including anti-tamper cores, software libraries, and testing workstations.
