Method and systems that selectively permit changes to a cryptographic hardware unit's state

摘要

In at least some embodiments, a system (200) comprises a hardware unit (102) and at least one computer (202A-202N) coupled to the hardware unit (102), the at least one computer (202A-202N) having software agents (110A-110N) that utilize a function provided by the hardware unit (102). The system (200) further comprises a consensus module (106) coupled to the hardware unit (102) and the at least one computer (202A-202N). The consensus module (106) is configured to detect an event that changes a state of the hardware unit (102), notify the software agents (110A-110N) of the event before the state changes, and selectively permit the state to change based on responses from the software agents (110A-110N).