Apparatus and method for enhancing security of data on a host computing device and a peripheral device

摘要

A method of enhancing security of at least one of a host computing device and a peripheral device coupled to the host computing device through a communication interface. Data is transparently received from the peripheral device or the host computing device, and the received data is stored. The stored data is analyzed to detect a circumstance associated with a security risk. If such a circumstance is not detected, then the data is transparently forwarded to the other of the peripheral device or the host. However, if a circumstance associated with a security risk is detected, then a security process, defined by a rule, is performed. Related apparatus are provided, as well as other methods and apparatus.

主权项

1. A security device for coupling between a first device, configured to act at a given time as a host computing device (“host”) and at least one second device, configured to act at the same time as a peripheral device (“peripheral”), each peripheral being assigned an address, the security device comprising:
an upstream interface configured to be coupled via an upstream link to the host and to receive commands and data from the host via the upstream link and to send data to the host via the upstream link, each of at least some of the commands including an address of one of the at least one peripheral; at least one downstream interface, each downstream interface configured to be coupled via a respective downstream link to one of the at least one peripheral and to receive data from the one peripheral via the respective downstream link and to send commands and data to the one peripheral via the respective downstream link; and a controller coupled to the upstream and downstream interfaces and configured to: receive a command and data via the upstream interface; perform a security process during an analysis interval to analyze the received command; during the security process: (i) stop communication with the at least one peripheral over the respective downstream link: and (ii) couple a termination resistor to at least one of the respective downstream link and the upstream link; if the security process does not identify a security risk: (i) select one of the at least one downstream interface, (ii) decouple the termination resistor; (iii) enable communication with the at least one peripheral over the respective downstream link; and (iv) forward the received command and data to only the selected one of the at least one downstream interface; and and if the security process identifies a security risk: (i) select none of the at least one downstream interface; and (ii) prevent forwarding the received data to any of the at least one downstream interface.