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Securing data caches through encryption

  • US 8,924,743 B2
  • Filed: 05/06/2009
  • Issued: 12/30/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for selective data protection and encryption of a cache on a data processing device by using a data processor, comprising:

  • reading data from the cache, using the data processor, wherein the data comprises copies of data stored in at least one other storage device;

    determining, using the data processor, whether the data read from the cache is encrypted to identify one or more of previously unencrypted data and previously encrypted data, wherein the previously unencrypted data comprises copies of data stored unencrypted in the at least one other storage device, wherein determining whether the data read from the cache is encrypted includes calculating at least one of a Shannon entropy value or a compressibility value, and comparing the calculated Shannon entropy value or compressibility value to a threshold entropy value or a threshold compressibility value, respectively;

    in response to identifying the data read from the cache as the previously unencrypted data, encrypting, using the data processor, selectively at least a portion of the previously unencrypted data to provide selectively encrypted data;

    in response to identifying the data read from the cache as the previously encrypted data, providing the previously encrypted data in the cache without further encryption;

    storing, using the data processor, the selectively encrypted data in the cache;

    erasing at least a portion of the data read from the cache in response to detection of security credentials being compromised; and

    detecting a sleep/hibernation sequence, and erasing at least a portion of the data read from the cache in response to detecting the sleep/hibernation sequence.

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