Background of the technology

Data security is an important issue for many aspects of business, particularly as it relates to stored proprietary data. For example, a computer programs’ source code stored in flash memory (or other forms of read-only memory) may be valuable proprietary information. Others may wish to copy operational source code in order to avoid having to write their own source code for their competing computer products or electronic devices.

Those attempting to copy source code from a flash memory may, for example, slice through the die of the memory chip and examine the source code stored therein in its raw data form so that it can be copied into the memories of competing products. There have been some attempts to prevent data internal to the processor from being accessed, but these do not prevent die slicing and none of the known technologies can adequately protect information in any device external to the microcontroller. Thus, source code stored in flash memory or other non-volatile memory may be vulnerable to copying unless it can be protected.

It is desirable to provide a method and system for improving data security of stored data by addressing or ameliorating one or more shortcomings or disadvantages associated with conventional security techniques, or to at least provide a useful alternative to such conventional security techniques.

Universal Data Protection Corporation (UDPi™) has developed a patent pending hardware security solution that protects Intellectual Property (IP) in both microcontrollers and microprocessors with Double Axis Security™ and Stealth Data Delimiter™ technology.

The UDPi hardware security solution is embedded in the processor during the manufacturing process and provides advanced protection capabilities previously unavailable.

Additionally, the internal and external flash is protected with UDPi. Die slicing, magnetic probing, chemical etching, data sniffing of bus lines, or other forms of tampering or attack are not a threat to UDPi protected devices.

UDPi technology can be combined with other die protection processes, such as the addition of a metal layer, chemicals in the manufacturing process, light sensitive circuits to prevent die exposure as well as other die protection techniques.

The technology does not rely on a math co-processor or a cryptography processor to encode/decode data because UDPi has an incredibly fast encryption and decryption process that works efficiently with 4-bit micros, 32-bit machines, 64-bit machines, 128-bit machines (that may appear in the coming decades) and anything in between.

With low system overhead, UDPi can be implemented for protecting various types of devices, including increasingly prevalent mobile devices such as phones and portable computers.

For information on invasive and non-invasive attacks, please follow this link to research conducted by Mr. Sergei Skorobogatov.

"Copy Protection in Modern Microcontrollers"

For information on implementing or licensing the UDPi IP methodology into your application
please contact us at technicalgroup@udpi.ca