Title :
NTDR INFOSEC: software security and the 80486 microprocessor
Author :
McIntosh, S. Kranjac
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Secure Inf. Syst., ITT Ind. Aerosp./Commun. Div., Clifton, NJ, USA
Abstract :
This paper discusses one of the first efforts of developing a software-based secure communication system that bases security on a combination of hardware and software design features. The paper starts with an overview of the security relevant features of the 80486 architecture and draws a contrast between the protected and real mode environments of the 80486 microprocessor. In particular, protected mode features including segments, descriptor tables, gates, privilege levels and task state segments are presented as a prelude to a more detailed discussion of each feature. The value of each of these features in the development of a trusted operating environment is explored. This groundwork in place, the paper describes the application of the 80486 features to the development of security software for the Mercury NTDR (Near Term Digital Radio). The detailed description of the software architecture closes with a discussion of the role of the 80486 features in software assurance
Keywords :
cryptography; data integrity; digital radio; microcomputer applications; operating systems (computers); software architecture; telecommunication computing; telecommunication security; 80486 microprocessor; Mercury NTDR; NTDR INFOSEC; Near Term Digital Radio; descriptor tables; gates; privilege levels; protected mode environment; real mode environment; security software; segments; software architecture; software assurance; software design; software security; software-based secure communication system; task state segments; trusted operating environment; Aerospace industry; Automatic control; Communication industry; Communication system security; Image segmentation; Information security; Microprocessors; Operating systems; Protection; Software design;
Conference_Titel :
MILCOM 2000. 21st Century Military Communications Conference Proceedings
Conference_Location :
Los Angeles, CA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-6521-6
DOI :
10.1109/MILCOM.2000.904089