A Low-Cost Solution for Protecting IPs Against Scan-Based Side-Channel Attacks

Abstract

Scan designs used for testing also provide an easily accessible port for hacking. In this paper, we present a new lowcost secure scan design that is effective against scan-based sidechannel attacks. By integrating a test key into test vectors that are scanned into the chip, testing and accessing scan chains are guaranteed to be allowed only by an authorized user. Any attempt to use the scan chain without a verified test vector will result in a randomized output preventing potential side-channel attacks. The proposed technique has a negligible area overhead, has no negative impact on chip performance, and places several levels of security over the scan chain protecting it from potential attacks.