ScienceDaily (May 18, 2011) security are one of the key obstacles to the adoption of a new non-volatile main memory (NVMM) on the next generation, which improve the computer start and times and increase the memory capacity. But now developed researchers from the University of North Carolina new encryption hardware for use with NVMM to protect your personal information and other data.
NVMM technologies, such as phase-change memory, hold great promise to replace conventional dynamic random access memory (DRAM) in main memory of computers. NVMM will allow computers to begin immediately, and can integrate with more memory and the same amount of space used by existing technologies. However, NVMM is a security risk.
The standard of DRAM main memory stores data after the computer is turned off. That is, for example, that does not store your credit card number and password after the online shopping spree. NVMM, on the other hand, preserves all user data in main memory, and even years after the computer is turned off. This feature may give criminals access to your personal information or other data if your laptop or smart phone were stolen. And, because NVMM the data is stored in main memory, it cannot be encrypted by using the software. Software cannot manage main memory functions, because the software itself is in main memory.
NC State researchers have developed a solution using hardware encryption system called i-NVMM.
"We use hardware to encrypt everything," explains Dr. Yan Solihin, Professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State and co-author of paper describing i-NVMM, "but then the system will run very slowly – that all the time to encrypt and decrypt data.
"Instead, we developed an algorithm for identifying data is not needed by the processor. This allows us to keep the 78% of main memory are encrypted during normal operation, and slows only system performance on 3.7 percent. "
The i-NVMM also has two additional benefits. First, its algorithm also detects inactivity. This means that people are currently not in use-such as your credit card number--is encrypted automatically. This makes the i-NVMM even more secure than DRAM. Second, while 78 percent of main memory is encrypted when the computer is in use, the remaining 22 percent is encrypted when the computer is turned off.
"Basically, unless someone is accessing your computer when you use it, all data is protected," said Solihin.
I-NVMM relies on the cryptographic engine integrated within the memory module is a stand-alone computer, does not require changes to your computer's processors. This interpretation can be used with different processors and systems.
"We are now looking for partners in the industry who are interested in this technology," said Solihin.
The paper, "i-NVMM: a secure non-volatile memory system key with encryption are cumulative," June 6, International Symposium on computer architecture (ISCA) in San Jose, Calif. paper was surgeon by Dr. Siddhartha Chhabra, ph d student. Former NC State. Research supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation.
