White PaperElectronics & Computers
Building Safe and Secure Systems for Tomorrow's Autonomous Platforms
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Future defense and aerospace platforms are becoming smarter and more autonomous. Operating in commercial as well as hostile military environments, these systems require high levels of proven system security engineering (SSE) and intrinsic trust for system-wide processing integrity and demonstrable operational safety in order to achieve airworthiness certification. System designers are thus facing a complex challenge: how to reconcile the often-divergent requirements of system-level safety and security to protect systems and mitigate risk. Learn about cyber and physical security strategies, approaches and technologies, challenges in combining "public" safety and "private" security disciplines, and design practices for building reliable, flight-certifiable and secure systems.
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Overview
The white paper titled "Building Safe and Secure Processing Systems for Future Autonomous Platforms" addresses the critical challenges of integrating safety and security in the design of autonomous systems, particularly in the aerospace and defense sectors. It emphasizes the necessity for engineers to navigate the complexities of safety certification while implementing robust security measures.
Key topics include the importance of data protection through encryption, which, while effective, presents challenges in key management. The paper highlights that secure storage is essential for protecting cryptographic keys and that physical security alone is insufficient. It discusses the role of Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) in ensuring system integrity during the boot process.
The document also explores the significance of securing communications to prevent interception and malicious alterations. It outlines various cryptographic techniques that can mitigate risks such as side-channel attacks and padding oracle attacks, which exploit vulnerabilities in cryptographic implementations.
A major focus is on the concept of attack-surface minimization, which involves reducing potential entry points for attackers by implementing least privilege and mandatory access control (MAC) strategies. This approach aims to limit access rights and features to only what is necessary for system functionality, thereby enhancing security.
The paper references FAA standards DO-326 and DO-355, which outline security processes for aviation systems but do not provide detailed implementation steps. It stresses the need for a holistic approach to security that does not compromise system safety, as vulnerabilities can lead to rapid degradation of safety.
Finally, the white paper advocates for the application of Kerckhoffs’ principle, which states that a cryptographic system should remain secure even if its design is public knowledge, relying solely on the secrecy of the key. This principle supports transparency in safety certification while maintaining robust security measures.
Overall, the white paper serves as a guide for engineers to develop safe and secure autonomous systems that meet the evolving demands of modern technology.