Patent ID: 8732523
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A data processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of storage elements residing at different physical locations within the data processing apparatus; fault history circuitry configured to detect local transient faults occurring in each storage element of said plurality of storage elements, and to maintain global transient fault history data based on the detected local transient faults; and analysis circuitry configured to monitor the global transient fault history data in order to determine based on predetermined criteria whether the global transient fault history data is indicative of random transient faults occurring within the data processing apparatus or is indicative of a coordinated transient fault attack, the analysis circuitry being further configured to initiate a countermeasure action on determination of said coordinated transient fault attack, wherein the fault history circuitry comprises local fault detection circuitry associated with each storage element of said plurality of storage elements, and fault history maintenance circuitry configured to maintain said global transient fault history data based on local transient fault data received from each local fault detection circuitry.