Intelligent Automation, Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF151-033

Description

ABSTRACT:In current computers, a separate Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip provides the trustworthy and tamper-resistant foundation to improve the security of Operating System (OS) and applications. In the cloud-centric era, virtualization technologies enable the easy transition of applications running on the local computers into the internet. Virtualized TPM is needed by virtualization technologies to ensure and enhance the secure execution of applications hosted in the cloud. In this project, Intelligent Automation Incorporated (IAI) proposed to develop an Emulated Security Module (ESM) for the Quick Emulator (QEMU). ESM will be a virtual device implemented for QEMU. ESM will be compatible with the existing TPM standard, available TPM software stack and applications. Based on its flexible architecture and implementation, ESM will also provide extra cryptography operations for the guest OS and applications running in QEMU. In addition, the security of ESM itself will be verified and enhanced through advanced compiler and software testing technologies. Together, ESM provides a trusted and verified foundation to ensure the security of OS and applications running in QEMU.BENEFIT:The probable commercial customers are sensitive data owners who want to adapt to the virtualization technology, but are concerned about its level of security. IAIs proposed ESM technology can be applied to existing virtualization environments in order to enhance its security. In addition to the proposed ESM technology, IAI has completed or is currently developing a range of related cloud-based tools. Integration of the proposed ESM technology with IAIs current cloud-based tools broadens the product base and application to potential markets. End users of ESM include cloud providers (e.g., Amazon), commercial organizations (e.g., Citibank, United Healthcare) that use virtualization technologies. The estimated addressable market size of the proposed ESM technology will be $500M+ in the civilian and commercial segments and $300M+ for military applications.