Hardware Security and Tamper Protection
I. Introduction to Integrated Circuit Physical Security and Threat Landscape A. Context and Strategic Importance of Hardware Hardening The security landscape for integrated circuits (ICs) has shifted dramatically, necessitating robust hardware defenses as attackers increasingly push low into the platform stack, moving below conventional software controls.1 This physical hardening is strategically vital because the physical platform represents the immutable first layer in any layered security approach. It provides the initial protections required to ensure that all higher-layer security controls—such as operating systems, secure firmware, and applications—can be fundamentally trusted.2 Without this fortified foundation, the integrity of the entire system, including advanced concepts like Confidential Computing or Secure Boot, is potentially compromised. The necessity of IC hardening addresses both known vulnerabilities and persistent threat models, notably the Hardware Troja...