Study of the CIVET Design of a Trusted Processor for Non-intrusive Measurements

Year
2001
Author(s)
Nikolay Isaev - All-Russian Institute of Automatics
Andrey S. Sviridov - All-Russian Institute of Automatics
Peter E. Vanier - Brookhaven National Laboratory
Peter Zuhoski - Brookhaven National Laboratory
Cynthia A. Salwen - Brookhaven National Laboratory
Victor Chebykine - All-Russian Research Institute of Automatics
Abstract
In the early 1990’s, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) developed a prototype computer for non-intrusive measurements of sensitive items. The Controlled Intrusiveness Verification Technology (CIVET) system contained a single digital circuit board, custom-designed to perform limited functions. The design was intended to be capable of processing classified data in a secure manner, while displaying only non-sensitive information to the observer. The CIVET hardware and software were deliberately constructed so as to be easy to authenticate. A team of Russian technical experts led by the All-Russian Research Institute of Automatics (VNIIA) is now studying this technology to determine its potential merits and deficiencies.