Cryptographic processors : applications and attacks survey

The combination of cryptographic tools and tamper-resistant mechanisms appeared first in military applications to secure communication links using tamper-resistant cipher machines. The spread of ATM networks brought the technology into the commercial mainstream. During the last years, the use of embedded cryptographic processors has spread from low-cost cryptoprocessors, such as smart cards used for holding decryption keys, to more modern applications, such as electronic payement schemes, Digital Right Management and Trusted Computing Initiative (TCI). This survey, will summarize the main applications of the cryptographic processors and will insist on their use into PKI based systems. It will also address the main class of attacks which target the cryptographic processors.