VLSI Implementation of Data Security Architecture

Abstract

The technologies of computer security are more logic oriented. Designing a program with security often imposes restrictions on that program's behavior. In this work, it is proposed to add a security level in hardware such that the security will extend from the computer architectural hardware level to the software OS level. Even though the operating system controls access to the system resources and programs, the request for the access to these system resources through the Operating System (OS) is done via an integrated chip located in the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus of the system. This will add a new dimension of security to the entire computer architecture. The level of security appropriate for a particular system depends on the value of the resources being secured. Incorporation of key operating system function into the hardware is planned so that the size of the security mechanisms still remains small, while not back tracking on the implementation of security. Use of various monitoring functions performed at regular intervals incorporated into the hardware is done so that its implementation is much faster than its equivalent software implementation.