System and method for detecting unauthorized access to electronic equipment or components

• US 20070109122A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Cruzado, Edwin, Heffner, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 7,429,915 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.200
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/128 the housing being an electronic circuit unit, e.g. memory or CPU chip protecting computer components in secure or tamper resistant housings G06F21/86; protecting computer input devices, e.g. keyboards G06F21/83

Abstract

An improved system and method for protecting sensitive electronic equipment or components against unauthorized access, by detecting and also reacting to unauthorized intrusions into the enclosures for the sensitive electronic equipment or components is disclosed. For example, a protective system for protecting sensitive electronic equipment or components against unauthorized access is disclosed that includes a fiber optic cable mesh or network attached to, or embedded in, the walls of the enclosure for the electronic equipment or components. A continuous signal or burst is applied to the fiber optic cable, which is coupled to an optical signal detection device. Thus, any attempt to remove or penetrate the walls of the enclosure interrupts the signal in the fiber optic cable, and the interruption of the signal is detected by the optical signal detection device. In response to the detection of the interruption of the signal in the fiber optic cable, a process can be initiated to erase, destroy or alter sensitive data contained within the electronic equipment or components. Also, a power source for the protective system is disclosed, which can be self-sustaining and contained within the protected enclosure for the sensitive electronic equipment or components.

Claims

1. A system for detecting an intrusion into an enclosure for electronic equipment or components, comprising:

an enclosure for electronic equipment or components;

at least one electronic circuit enclosed within said enclosure for electronic equipment or components; and

at least one optical frequency signal conductor disposed between said enclosure for electronic equipment or components and said at least one electronic circuit, wherein said at least one optical frequency signal conductor is arranged in a pattern such that said at least one optical frequency signal conductor substantially encloses said at least one electronic circuit.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for generating an optical frequency signal coupled to an input for said at least one optical frequency signal conductor;

means for detecting said optical frequency signal coupled to an output for said at least one optical frequency signal generator; and

means for reacting to an intrusion into said enclosure for electronic equipment or components coupled to at least said means for detecting said optical frequency signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one optical frequency signal conductor comprises at least one fiber optic strand.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said enclosure comprises at least one wall of a chassis for electronic equipment or components.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said enclosure comprises an encapsulant for an integrated circuit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said pattern comprises a plurality of coils.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said pattern comprises at least one of a web pattern, a weave pattern, or a mesh pattern.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic circuit further comprises at least one electronic circuit disposed on a printed circuit board.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic circuit further comprises an integrated circuit.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a laser transmitter coupled to an input for said at least one optical frequency signal conductor;

a laser signal detector coupled to an output for said at least one optical frequency signal generator; and

a programmable logic circuit coupled to at least said laser signal detector, said programmable logic circuit operable to;

receive a detection indication signal from said laser signal detector; and

if said received detection indication signal is interrupted, activate a data destruction circuit associated with said at least one electronic circuit.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for monitoring a power condition of said system; and

means for generating power for an operation of said system if said means for monitoring said power condition determines that a power level for an operation of said system is less than a predetermined value.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first power source arranged internally in said system, said first power source comprising at least one of a coin battery and a super capacitor, said first power source operable to activate a second power source that is further operable to destroy data stored in a memory portion of said at least one electronic circuit in response to an intrusion into the enclosure.

13. A protective enclosure for an electronic circuit, comprising:

a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged as an array and forming a first protection layer;

a plurality of light detection devices arranged substantially as said array and forming a second protection layer, said plurality of light detection devices arranged in opposition to said plurality of light-emitting diodes; and

an electronic circuit enclosed by said first layer and said second layer.

14. The protective enclosure of claim 13, wherein:

said plurality of light-emitting diodes is continuously activated;

said plurality of light detection devices comprises a plurality of silicon diodes;

said electronic circuit comprises an integrated circuit; and

the protective enclosure comprises an encapsulant for said integrated circuit.

15. A method for detecting an intrusion into an enclosure for electronic equipment or components, comprising the steps of:

providing an enclosure for electronic equipment or components;

disposing at least one electronic circuit within said enclosure for electronic equipment or components;

disposing at least one optical frequency signal conductor between said enclosure for electronic equipment or components and said at least one electronic circuit;

arranging said at least one optical frequency signal conductor in a predetermined pattern; and

enclosing said at least one electronic circuit with said at least one optical frequency signal conductor arranged in said predetermined pattern.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

generating an optical frequency signal;

coupling said optical frequency signal to an input for said at least one optical frequency signal conductor;

detecting said optical frequency signal at an output for said at least one optical frequency signal generator; and

if said optical frequency signal is not detected at said output, activating a process to destroy data stored in said at least one electronic circuit.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said at least one optical frequency signal conductor comprises at least one fiber optic strand.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said enclosure comprises at least one wall of a chassis for electronic equipment or components.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said enclosure comprises at least one of an encapsulant and a container for an integrated circuit.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said pattern comprises at least one of a web pattern, a weave pattern, a mesh pattern, an array pattern, and a plurality of coils.