Secure Coprocessor

Synonyms

Hardware security module

Related Concepts

Trusted Computing; Zeroization

Definition

The term secure coprocessor generally refers to a physically secure subsystem of a larger host computer. The aspiration is that the coprocessor provides a sanctuary for computation and data storage secure even against an adversary who physically controls the host.

The term is usually used without a hyphen.

Background

The concept of “secure coprocessor” emerged from a number of different strands, including financial cryptography, military, and early rights management. The burden of cryptographic operations on a host CPU motivates the use of a separate crypto coprocessor; the sensitive nature of keys–coupled with the use of such devices in the financial sector, long used to armor–introduced the idea of physical security. Military computing also brings up the issue of tamper-resistant computing (e.g., consider a sensitive battlefield device that may fall into enemy hands). In the commercial world...