Keystone Security Architecture: Agent and Broker

Published On - 23rd November 2024

Mercedesz

Keystone Security Architecture is a comprehensive approach to securing critical infrastructure by mitigating vulnerabilities in commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) single board computers (SBCs) and other processing elements. It accomplishes this through the use of Keystone Agents and Keystone Broker.

Keystone Agents

Keystone Agents are specially designed security-enhanced COTS SBCs. They are deployed on critical infrastructure networks to safeguard against known vulnerabilities, particularly those inherent in x86 processors. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to systems, steal sensitive data, or disrupt operations.

Keystone Agents function by providing a layer of security between the underlying hardware and the operating system. They achieve this through a combination of hardware-based and software-based security features.

  • Hardware-based security features may include:
    • Secure boot: This feature ensures that only authorized firmware can be loaded onto the system.
    • Hardware-based memory encryption: This feature encrypts data at rest in memory, making it inaccessible to unauthorized users.
    • Hardware-based root of trust: This feature provides a secure foundation for the system’s security hierarchy.
  • Software-based security features may include:
    • Secure boot: This feature ensures that only authorized operating systems can be booted on the system.
    • Hypervisor-based security: This feature creates a secure isolation layer between the operating system and the underlying hardware.
    • Integrity monitoring: This feature detects unauthorized changes to the system’s software and configuration.

By combining hardware-based and software-based security features, Keystone Agents provide a robust defense against a wide range of threats.

Keystone Broker

The Keystone Broker is a central management console that provides visibility and control over Keystone Agents deployed throughout a network. It enables administrators to:

  • Provision and configure Keystone Agents
  • Monitor the health and status of Keystone Agents
  • Deploy security policies to Keystone Agents
  • Update the software and firmware on Keystone Agents
  • Collect and analyze security data from Keystone Agents

The Keystone Broker simplifies the management of Keystone Agents and helps to ensure that they are configured and operating correctly.

Benefits of Keystone Security Architecture

Keystone Security Architecture offers a number of significant benefits for organizations that are looking to improve the security of their critical infrastructure. These benefits include:

  • Reduced risk of cyberattacks: By mitigating known vulnerabilities in COTS SBCs, Keystone Security Architecture helps to reduce the risk of cyberattacks.
  • Improved compliance: Keystone Security Architecture can help organizations to comply with industry regulations and standards that require the use of secure computing platforms.
  • Simplified security management: The Keystone Broker simplifies the management of Keystone Agents and helps to ensure that they are configured and operating correctly.
  • Reduced total cost of ownership (TCO): By reducing the risk of cyberattacks and improving compliance, Keystone Security Architecture can help organizations to reduce their TCO.

Use Cases for Keystone Security Architecture

Keystone Security Architecture is a versatile solution that can be used in a variety of applications. Some common use cases include:

  • Industrial control systems (ICS): ICS are used to control critical infrastructure such as power grids, water treatment plants, and transportation systems. Keystone Security Architecture can help to protect ICS from cyberattacks that could disrupt critical operations.
  • Defense and aerospace: Defense and aerospace systems often rely on COTS SBCs. Keystone Security Architecture can help to ensure that these systems are secure and reliable.
  • Financial services: Financial institutions are prime targets for cyberattacks. Keystone Security Architecture can help to protect financial institutions from cyberattacks that could steal sensitive customer data.
  • Healthcare: Healthcare organizations store a wealth of sensitive patient data. Keystone Security Architecture can help to protect healthcare organizations from cyberattacks that could compromise patient data.

Conclusion

Keystone Security Architecture is a powerful and versatile solution that can help organizations to improve the security of their critical infrastructure. By mitigating known vulnerabilities in COTS SBCs, Keystone Security Architecture helps to reduce the risk of cyberattacks, improve compliance, simplify security management, and reduce TCO.

This is just a 500-word summary of the article. I can expand this further to a 1000-word article by adding more details about the specific security features of Keystone Agents, the different ways that Keystone Broker can be used to manage Keystone Agents, and the specific benefits of Keystone Security Architecture for different industries.