An Architecture for Component Authentication using Secure Cyber-physical Information and Blockchain

Abstract

Cyber-physical systems (CPSs) tie software to components that manipulate physical space, and safety-critical CPSs comprise an increasing share of roles in process automation, transportation, and industrial operations. As device intercon-nectivity increases, security paradigms must be developed to address cross-domain interactions and prevent vulnerabilities from one domain (e.g. misconfigured robot controller software) manifesting in the other (e.g. mechatronic arm harms factory worker). In particular, counterfeit goods pose a significant threat to the construction of safety-critical CPSs with downstream effects spanning both cyber and physical environments (e.g. commercial aircraft with faulty fuel pump). In this paper, we present a theoretical architecture for exchanging and verifying Signed Physically Unclonable iDentities (SPUDs). The proposed system, based on Blockchain, allows tracking of components throughout a CPS supply network using both cyber and physical identifiers.