Software cannot protect software: An argument for dedicated hardware in security and a categorization of the trustworthiness of information

Abstract

There are many current classifications and taxonomies relating to computer security. One missing classification is the Trustworthiness of Information being received by the security system, which we define. This new classification along with Timeliness of Detection and Security level of the Security System present motivation for hardware-based security solutions. Including hardware is not an automatic solution to the limitations of software solutions. Advantages are only gained from hardware through design that ensures at least First-hand Information, dedicated monitors, explicit hardware communication, dedicated storage, and dedicated security processors. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.