IEEE Spectrum  May 3, 2018
Researchers in Germany have developed an envelope called B-Trepid to protect high-security computer. It replaces the stored key with one that is generated by the structure of the envelope itself. Instead of relying on resistances in the envelope’s mesh, B-Trepid calculates the capacitances between the mesh’s wires which vary from envelope to envelope in unpredictable ways. When B-Trepid is attached to its computer network and turned on, the external mesh generates a unique key that is used to encrypt all the data within the system. When it’s off, there’s no key and therefore nothing to steal. And if the envelope is penetrated, its capacitances shift rendering any data within the system unreadable. Their work will be presented at an upcoming conference…read more.
Impregnable: B-Trepid’s electrode layers (Rx and Tx) create a unique capacitive signature used to encrypt data on the system within. Illustration: Fraunhofer AISEC