Patent Application
20250190635
The present disclosure relates in general to information handling systems, and more particularly to detecting tampering in information handling systems.
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Hyper-converged infrastructure (HCl) is an IT framework that combines storage, computing, and networking into a single system in an effort to reduce data center complexity and increase scalability. Hyper-converged platforms may include a hypervisor for virtualized computing, software-defined storage, and virtualized networking, and they typically run on standard, off-the-shelf servers. One type of HCl solution is the Dell EMC VxRail™ system. Some examples of HCl systems may operate in various environments (e.g., an HCl management system such as the VMware® vSphere® ESXi™ environment, or any other HCl management system). Some examples of HCl systems may operate as software-defined storage (SDS) cluster systems (e.g., an SDS cluster system such as the VMware® vSANT™ system, or any other SDS cluster system).
In the HCl context (as well as other contexts), information handling systems may execute virtual machines (VMs) for various purposes. A VM may generally comprise any program of executable instructions, or aggregation of programs of executable instructions, configured to execute a guest operating system on a hypervisor or host operating system in order to act through or in connection with the hypervisor/host operating system to manage and/or control the allocation and usage of hardware resources such as memory, central processing unit time, disk space, and input and output devices, and provide an interface between such hardware resources and application programs hosted by the guest operating system.
Physical security is important in edge deployments of HCl systems as well as in other types of information handling systems. Existing security measures often focus on software-based protections, leaving the hardware of an information handling system vulnerable to unauthorized access or manipulation. Edge devices, such as internet-of-things (IoT) devices and embedded systems, are very susceptible to physical tampering, which can compromise the confidentiality, availability, and reliability of the system.
There is thus a need for a system that detects and alerts against hardware tampering attempts on edge devices and other devices. The system may utilize physical sensors and tamper-evident mechanisms to provide early detection of hardware tampering attempts. Embodiments may ensure the integrity and security of the hardware components and enhance the overall security of edge devices.
It should be noted that the discussion of a technique in the Background section of this disclosure does not constitute an admission of prior-art status. No such admissions are made herein, unless clearly and unambiguously identified as such.
In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with detection of tampering in information handling systems may be reduced or eliminated.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include at least one processor, a plurality of physical sensors, and a firmware having instructions coded thereon that are executable by the at least one processor for: detecting, based on one or more of the physical sensors, a tampering event associated with the information handling system; and transmitting data regarding the tampering event to a central monitoring system.
In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include an information handling system detecting, via a plurality of physical sensors thereof, a tampering event associated with the information handling system; and the information handling system transmitting, via a firmware thereof, data regarding the tampering event to a central monitoring system.
In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, an article of manufacture may include a non-transitory, computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions thereon that are executable by a processor of an information handling system for: detecting, via a plurality of physical sensors of the information handling system, a tampering event associated with the information handling system; and transmitting, via a firmware thereof, data regarding the tampering event to a central monitoring system.
Technical advantages of the present disclosure may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, description and claims included herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory and are not restrictive of the claims set forth in this disclosure.
A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference to
For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “information handling system” may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a consumer electronic device, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (“CPU”) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input/output (“I/O”) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communication between the various hardware components.
For purposes of this disclosure, when two or more elements are referred to as “coupled” to one another, such term indicates that such two or more elements are in electronic communication or mechanical communication, as applicable, whether connected directly or indirectly, with or without intervening elements.
When two or more elements are referred to as “coupleable” to one another, such term indicates that they are capable of being coupled together.
For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “computer-readable medium” (e.g., transitory or non-transitory computer-readable medium) may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; communications media such as wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of the foregoing.
For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “information handling resource” may broadly refer to any component system, device, or apparatus of an information handling system, including without limitation processors, service processors, basic input/output systems, buses, memories, I/O devices and/or interfaces, storage resources, network interfaces, motherboards, and/or any other components and/or elements of an information handling system.
For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “management controller” may broadly refer to an information handling system that provides management functionality (typically out-of-band management functionality) to one or more other information handling systems. In some embodiments, a management controller may be (or may be an integral part of) a service processor, a baseboard management controller (BMC), a chassis management controller (CMC), or a remote access controller (e.g., a Dell Remote Access Controller (DRAC) or Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC)).
In operation, processor 103, memory 104, BIOS 105, and network interface 108 may comprise at least a portion of a host system 98 of information handling system 102. In addition to the elements explicitly shown and described, information handling system 102 may include one or more other information handling resources.
Processor 103 may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, and may include, without limitation, a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In some embodiments, processor 103 may interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data stored in memory 104 and/or another component of information handling system 102.
Memory 104 may be communicatively coupled to processor 103 and may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory 104 may include RAM, EEPROM, a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitable selection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to information handling system 102 is turned off.
As shown in
Network interface 108 may comprise one or more suitable systems, apparatuses, or devices operable to serve as an interface between information handling system 102 and one or more other information handling systems via an in-band network. Network interface 108 may enable information handling system 102 to communicate using any suitable transmission protocol and/or standard. In these and other embodiments, network interface 108 may comprise a network interface card, or “NIC.” In these and other embodiments, network interface 108 may be enabled as a local area network (LAN)-on-motherboard (LOM) card.
Management controller 112 may be configured to provide management functionality for the management of information handling system 102. Such management may be made by management controller 112 even if information handling system 102 and/or host system 98 are powered off or powered to a standby state. Management controller 112 may include a processor 113, memory, and a network interface 118 separate from and physically isolated from network interface 108.
As shown in
Network interface 118 may be coupled to a management network, which may be separate from and physically isolated from the data network as shown. Network interface 118 of management controller 112 may comprise any suitable system, apparatus, or device operable to serve as an interface between management controller 112 and one or more other information handling systems via an out-of-band management network. Network interface 118 may enable management controller 112 to communicate using any suitable transmission protocol and/or standard. In these and other embodiments, network interface 118 may comprise a network interface card, or “NIC.” Network interface 118 may be the same type of device as network interface 108, or in other embodiments it may be a device of a different type.
As discussed above, embodiments of this disclosure provide improvements in the physical security of information handling system 102 by providing detection and alerts based on tampering. It should be noted that while the scenario of an edge deployment is discussed in detail herein for the sake of concreteness, other embodiments are also specifically contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.
The tamper detection system may provide early detection of hardware tampering attempts on edge devices, and it may in some embodiments be implemented (in whole or in part) via firmware on edge devices to monitor physical sensors and detect tampering. The alerting mechanism may also store security events in a security database, which may be accessible via a management interface.
The device firmware may also establish communication between edge devices 202 and a central monitoring system configured to receive tampering alerts and analyze the data.
Embodiments may provide integration of physical sensors to monitor and detect physical indicators of tampering attempts. By leveraging physical sensors such as vibration sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, switches that actuate when a chassis panel is removed, tilt sensors, etc., the system can provide early detection of tampering events, enhancing the security of the hardware components.
Tamper-evident mechanisms such as seals, tamper-resistant screws, or special coatings on the edge devices may also be incorporated. These mechanisms help detect any physical changes or unauthorized access to the hardware components, providing an additional layer of security.
The firmware running on the edge devices may be implemented to monitor the physical sensors and detect tampering attempts. This may act as the first line of defense, continuously analyzing sensor data and triggering alerts when tampering events are detected.
The central monitoring system may receive tampering alerts from multiple edge devices. This central monitoring system then analyzes the data, determines the severity of tampering attempts, and provides a unified interface for managing and responding to these alerts.
A customizable alerting mechanism may promptly notify administrators about detected tampering attempts. The alerting mechanism can be tailored to different severity levels of tampering events, ensuring appropriate actions can be taken in response. For example, an accelerometer event may be classified as relatively low-severity, while a chassis opening event may be classified as higher-severity, etc.
Embodiments thus provide an integrated and proactive approach to detect and alert an administrator against hardware tampering attempts on edge devices. Embodiments provide early detection, enhanced security, and the ability to respond effectively to tampering events, safeguarding the integrity and security of the hardware components in edge computing environments. For example, in addition to sending alerts, some embodiments may also be operable to take additional remedial actions such as shutting down the edge system, encrypting data, etc.
This architecture ensures continuous monitoring, early detection, and swift response to tampering attempts. It safeguards edge devices and strengthens system security.
At step 402, the edge device firmware is initialized. Likewise, at step 414, the central monitoring system is initialized.
At step 404, the edge device may continuously or continually monitor its physical sensors for indicators such as vibration, acceleration, and temperature. The sensor data is captured at step 406 and transmitted to the edge device firmware. The edge device firmware analyzes the sensor data at step 408 for any tampering attempts.
If a tampering attempt is detected at step 410, the edge device firmware triggers an alert. Otherwise, the edge device's method loops back to step 404.
If an alert is generated at step 412, it is sent to the central monitoring system, which receives it at step 416 and stores it in the security database at step 418.
The alerting mechanism in the central monitoring system may then notify the relevant stakeholders (e.g., administrators and/or security personnel) about the tampering attempt at step 420.
The management interface may also allow security personnel to view and manage the tampering alerts at step 422. Remedial actions (e.g., prompted by the security personnel and/or undertaken autonomously) may occur at step 424 based on the severity of the tampering event. The central monitoring system then continuously monitors for new alerts and manages the security database.
One of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will understand that the preferred initialization points for the method depicted in
This disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Similarly, where appropriate, the appended claims encompass all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Moreover, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, or component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative.
Further, reciting in the appended claims that a structure is “configured to” or “operable to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) for that claim element. Accordingly, none of the claims in this application as filed are intended to be interpreted as having means-plus-function elements. Should Applicant wish to invoke § 112(f) during prosecution, Applicant will recite claim elements using the “means for [performing a function]” construct.
All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
