Patent ID: 8321687

Claim:
A cryptographic system with a modular architecture, comprising: memory modules for storing information concerning authentication keys, data and commands, including a secure memory module for storing the authentication keys with integrity checking and an emergency erase function; algorithm modules for performing cryptographic functions of the cryptographic system by executing the commands stored in at least one memory module; a plurality of external interface modules for generating a link between the cryptographic system and external devices, through a standard or proprietary input/output bus; a control unit for supervision of algorithm modules and the management of the authentication keys; and a central interconnect module configured to provide secure exchanges between the modules, and to interconnect the algorithm modules, the memory modules, the external interface modules, and the control unit using authorized paths between the central interconnect module and the external interface modules, wherein each of the external interface modules can be connected to or disconnected from the central interconnect module without affecting the operation of any other of the external interface modules.