System-Level Tamper Protection Using MSP MCUs

Security in embedded systems is a topic that is gaining prominence as embedded systems and products are being deployed everywhere to be used in our everyday routines. Security concerns for embedded system developers and its users scales from adversaries having remote to physical access of the system. Increasing security for remote access includes incorporating secure data communication and secure software and firmware updates to the system; for example, leveraging industry-accepted cryptographic algorithms and secure communication protocols. This application report focuses on security concerns with adversaries having physical access to the system or product, understanding the need for system-level tamper protection, and how the security impact can be mitigated using system-level tamper detection and response functions. Implementing system-level tamper detection involves identifying security assets in the system and defining a trust line boundary around it; and any attempt to invade the trust line (for example, an electric-meter box) is considered a tamper attempt that must be detected. The detection must be followed with appropriate responses or actions that are taken to improve the security of the assets. Antitamper mechanisms must be carefully implemented to not significantly impact the cost and the power of the overall system solution. This application report describes the features supported by ultra-low-power MSP microcontrollers (MCUs) to enable a possible implementation of system-level tamper functions to achieve the aforementioned purpose.