Systems Implementing Hierarchical Levels of Security

Description

This method provides variable access authentication to ensure a hierarchical level of security in cyber-physical systems. The scheme exploits physical unclonable functions (PUFs) together with a set of authentication keys with “no-care” states. Each of the multiple PUFs can drive a separate level of access control, while “no-care” states can be included when the security risk levels are lower. On one side of the security spectrum, an IT manager can have backdoor capabilities if a user forgets their password; on the other end, access control for an internet device can be extremely stringent when a user operates in unsafe territory.

Additional information