Security policy
Server Configuration Profile: High-Assurance Security Policy Platform (HASP-8000)
This document details the technical specifications, performance characteristics, deployment recommendations, and maintenance requirements for the High-Assurance Security Policy Platform (HASP-8000). This configuration is specifically engineered to host mission-critical workloads requiring the highest levels of TPM integrity, hardware-enforced isolation, and robust cryptographic acceleration.
1. Hardware Specifications
The HASP-8000 platform is built upon a dual-socket, high-density rackmount chassis designed for maximum I/O bandwidth and integrated security features. All components are selected based on their compliance with stringent security standards (e.g., FIPS 140-3 readiness, Common Criteria EAL4+).
1.1 System Baseboard and Chassis
The foundation is a proprietary dual-socket motherboard supporting the latest generation of server CPUs featuring integrated Intel vPro or AMD Secure Processor technologies.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | 2U Rackmount (Optimized for high airflow) |
| Chipset | Server-grade PCH with integrated Platform Security Processor (PSP/CSME) |
| BIOS/Firmware | Dual-BIOS/UEFI with hardware root-of-trust verification (Secure Boot enforced) |
| Chassis Intrusion Detection | Yes (Physical tamper detection switch) |
| Remote Management Controller (RMC) | Dedicated BMC (IPMI 2.0 compliant, supports Redfish 1.2) with HW-RoT provisioning |
1.2 Central Processing Units (CPUs)
The configuration mandates processors with extensive hardware virtualization support and dedicated security instruction sets (e.g., AES-NI, SHA extensions, SEV/TDX capabilities).
| Parameter | Specification (Minimum) |
|---|---|
| CPU Model Family | Intel Xeon Scalable (4th Gen, Sapphire Rapids equivalent) or AMD EPYC (Genoa/Bergamo equivalent) |
| Sockets | 2 |
| Cores per Socket (Minimum) | 32 Physical Cores (Total 64 physical cores) |
| Base Clock Speed | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache (Total) | 120 MB minimum |
| Security Features Required | AES-NI, SHA-512, TEE support (e.g., SGX, SEV-SNP) |
1.3 Memory Subsystem
Memory configuration prioritizes integrity and confidentiality. All modules must support ECC and operate in a balanced configuration for optimal memory channel utilization.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | DDR5 RDIMM (ECC Registered) |
| Total Capacity | 1 TB (Expandable to 4 TB) |
| Configuration | 16 DIMMs populated (e.g., 16 x 64GB) |
| Speed (Minimum) | 4800 MT/s |
| Security Feature | Memory Encryption Engine (MEE) support required for full hardware isolation |
1.4 Storage Subsystem: Data Integrity Focus
Storage selection is heavily weighted towards high-speed, resilient NVMe devices with built-in encryption capabilities (SED). The configuration uses a tiered approach separating the boot/OS volume from high-security data volumes.
| Component | Configuration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Boot Drive (OS/Hypervisor) | 2 x 480GB Enterprise SATA SSD (RAID 1) | Minimal footprint, OS integrity validation |
| Primary Data Storage (Tier 1) | 8 x 3.84TB NVMe U.2 SSD (PCIe Gen 4 x4 minimum) | |
| RAID Controller | Hardware RAID controller with AES-256 encryption engine and dedicated cache battery backup (BBU/Supercap) | |
| Total Usable Capacity (Tier 1) | ~28 TB (Assuming RAID 60 configuration for performance/redundancy) | |
| Drive Firmware Security | Mandatory support for Secure Erase and Cryptographic Erase commands |
1.5 I/O and Networking
Network interfaces are configured to support high-throughput encryption offloading and isolation between management and data planes.
| Interface | Quantity | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe Slots (Total) | 6 x PCIe Gen 5 x16 (Full height/length) | |
| Baseboard NICs | 2 x 10GbE Base-T (Dedicated for BMC/Management) | |
| Primary Data NICs | 2 x 25GbE SFP28 (LOM or dedicated adapter) | |
| Security Accelerator Card Slot | 1 x Dedicated PCIe slot reserved for optional HSM or COP card | |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB 3.0 (Front), 2 x USB 3.0 (Rear – Physically locked down via BIOS policy) |
1.6 Security Hardware Integration
The core differentiator of the HASP-8000 is its reliance on hardware security primitives.
- **Trusted Platform Module (TPM):** Integrated TPM 2.0 module, mandatory for platform attestation and secure key storage. Must support Measured Boot functionality.
- **Secure Enclave:** Utilization of processor-specific secure execution environments (e.g., Intel TXT/SGX or AMD SEV-SNP) for workload isolation.
- **Physical Security:** Lockable drive bays and cable routing channels to prevent unauthorized physical access or supply chain tampering.
2. Performance Characteristics
The HASP-8000 configuration deliberately trades marginal peak throughput for guaranteed security overhead mitigation. Performance testing focuses on measuring the latency impact of mandatory security features (e.g., TEE activation, full disk encryption overhead).
2.1 Cryptographic Latency Metrics
The primary performance metric for this configuration is the efficiency of cryptographic operations, heavily reliant on the integrated instruction sets (AES-NI, etc.).
| Operation | HASP-8000 (Hardware Accelerated) | Standard Server Configuration (Software Fallback) |
|---|---|---|
| AES-256 GCM Encryption (128 Byte Block) | 1.2 ns per block | 5.8 ns per block |
| SHA-512 Hashing (1 MB Data) | 150 MB/s | 85 MB/s |
| RSA-2048 Sign Operation | 1500 Ops/sec | 450 Ops/sec |
| Memory Encryption Overhead (Read Latency Increase) | < 1.5% | N/A (Not applicable) |
- Source: Internal validation suite utilizing `openssl speed` and the Cryptographic API Stress Test (CAST), executed on a 1TB memory block.*
2.2 I/O Throughput and Encryption Overhead
Storage performance is measured with and without mandatory full-disk encryption (FDE) enabled at the hardware controller level.
| Test Type | Configuration | Sequential Read (GB/s) | Random 4K IOPS (Total) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline (FDE Off) | Tier 1 NVMe Array (RAID 60) | 25.1 GB/s | 1,850,000 IOPS |
| Secure (FDE On – Hardware Accelerated) | Tier 1 NVMe Array (RAID 60) | 24.8 GB/s | 1,825,000 IOPS |
| Hypervisor VM Boot Time | Windows Server 2022 (Encrypted VM Image) | N/A | 45 seconds |
The marginal performance degradation (approx. 1.2% in sequential read) when utilizing hardware-accelerated encryption confirms the effectiveness of the chosen components in mitigating security overhead. This performance profile is acceptable for security-sensitive workloads where integrity outweighs raw speed.
2.3 System Integrity Measurement
A critical performance characteristic is the time taken for the PFR and Measured Boot process upon cold start.
- **Measured Boot Time (Cold Start):** 180 seconds (Includes full platform attestation chain validation against the TPM).
- **Reboot Time (Verified State):** 45 seconds (Leverages cached PCR values where permitted by policy).
This extended boot time is a necessary trade-off for ensuring that the operating system kernel and hypervisor have not been tampered with since the last trusted state, a core principle of Zero Trust.
3. Recommended Use Cases
The HASP-8000 configuration is not intended for general-purpose computing or high-frequency trading where microsecond latency is paramount. It is optimized for environments requiring verifiable trust anchors and strong data isolation.
3.1 Critical Infrastructure and Regulatory Compliance
This configuration excels in environments subject to stringent regulatory frameworks that mandate hardware-enforced security controls.
- **Financial Services:** Hosting ledger databases, key management systems (KMS), and transaction signing services requiring non-repudiation proofs derived from hardware roots of trust. Compliance with PCI DSS requirements for cryptographic key lifecycle management.
- **Government/Defense:** Secure enclaves for handling classified or sensitive unclassified (SUI) data. Deployment of SIEM backends where log integrity must be immutable.
- **Healthcare:** Hosting electronic health records (EHR) systems requiring compliance with HIPAA Security Rule mandates regarding data encryption at rest and in use.
3.2 Confidential Computing Environments
The HASP-8000 is ideally suited for running Confidential Computing workloads using hardware-assisted memory encryption (e.g., AMD SEV-SNP or Intel TDX).
1. **Data In Use Protection:** Sensitive data remains encrypted in CPU caches and memory, inaccessible even to the physical host OS or hypervisor administrators. 2. **Attestation Services:** The system provides remote verifiable proof (attestation report) that the workload is running on a genuine, untampered platform before sensitive credentials are provided to the application. This is crucial for multi-party computation or cloud-based sensitive processing.
3.3 Secure Virtualization Hosts
When deployed as a virtualization host for untrusted tenants (e.g., cloud service providers running mixed workloads), the HASP-8000 ensures workload separation beyond standard software hypervisor controls.
- **Tenant Isolation:** Utilizing hardware partitioning features to ensure memory or CPU side-channel attacks cannot bridge security domains between Virtual Machines (VMs).
- **Secure Boot Chain Enforcement:** The hypervisor itself is verified by the TPM before loading guest operating systems, mitigating rootkit injection risks during the boot phase.
4. Comparison with Similar Configurations
To understand the value proposition of the HASP-8000, it must be benchmarked against two common alternatives: a high-throughput general-purpose server (Standard-GP) and a purely software-defined security server (SD-Secure).
4.1 Comparative Analysis Table
This table contrasts the HASP-8000's hardware-centric security approach with alternatives based on key operational metrics.
| Feature | HASP-8000 (Hardware Security Focus) | Standard-GP (High Throughput) | SD-Secure (Software Defined Security) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Security Mechanism | TPM 2.0, TEE, FDE Hardware Acceleration | OS-level encryption (BitLocker, LUKS), Software Firewalls | |
| Performance Degradation (Security Overhead) | Minimal (1% - 5% CPU utilization increase) | Significant (15% - 40% CPU utilization increase for encryption/integrity checks) | |
| Boot Integrity Assurance | Hardware Root of Trust (Measured Boot) | BIOS/UEFI Checksum Verification (Software Dependent) | |
| Cost Index (Relative) | 1.8x (Due to specialized components) | 1.0x | 1.3x (Due to increased core count needed to offset overhead) |
| Management Complexity | High (Requires specialized key management and attestation tooling) | Low to Moderate | Moderate (Requires robust configuration management) |
| Key Storage Mechanism | HSM/TPM (Physical isolation) | Software keystores/HSM (Often virtualized) |
4.2 Feature Disparity Analysis
The primary distinction is the **Trust Boundary**.
- **Standard-GP:** The trust boundary resides largely within the operating system kernel. If the kernel is compromised (e.g., via a zero-day exploit), the security controls fail.
- **SD-Secure:** Security relies on complex configuration management and patching discipline. Performance suffers significantly as every cryptographic operation requires CPU cycles that could otherwise be used for application logic.
- **HASP-8000:** The baseline trust boundary is moved down to the silicon level (CPU microcode, BMC, and TPM). This provides resilience against high-privilege OS compromises, as the hardware state (PCR registers) remains verifiable even if the OS is corrupted. This concept is central to hardware attestation.
The increased initial cost (1.8x) of the HASP-8000 is justified by the reduced long-term operational risk associated with compliance audits and breach mitigation costs in highly regulated sectors.
5. Maintenance Considerations
While the security features reduce the risk of external compromise, the complexity of the hardware-level security features introduces specific maintenance requirements, particularly concerning firmware updates and key lifecycle management.
5.1 Firmware and Component Lifecycle Management
Security-critical firmware (BIOS/UEFI, BMC, RAID Controller firmware, TPM microcode) must be updated strictly according to vendor security advisories. Delays in patching BMC firmware, for example, can expose the BMC to remote exploitation, bypassing all OS-level security.
- **Update Protocol:** Firmware updates must be applied using authenticated, signed packages only, and the *Measured Boot* process must be re-validated post-update to ensure the new firmware is trusted.
- **Component Replacement:** When replacing a storage device (SSD) or the RAID controller, the new component must be provisioned with the correct cryptographic identity or securely erased before deployment to prevent data leakage or impersonation attacks. Refer to Secure Data Disposal procedures.
5.2 Power and Cooling Requirements
The HASP-8000 is a high-density, high-power configuration due to the robust dual-CPU arrangement and the inclusion of dedicated security accelerators (if populated).
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Thermal Design Power (TDP) | 1200W (System load dependent) |
| Recommended Power Supply Unit (PSU) | 2 x 1600W 80+ Platinum Redundant PSUs |
| Power Density | ~550W per rack unit (2U chassis) |
| Cooling Standard | N+1 redundancy required; minimum 15 CFM/kW heat dissipation capacity in the rack enclosure. |
| Operational Temperature Range | 18°C to 24°C (Tight tolerance to maximize memory stability for TEE operations) |
The high power density necessitates careful planning for data center cooling infrastructure. Hotspots must be avoided, as thermal throttling can indirectly impact the timing of cryptographic operations, potentially leading to security validation failures in tightly timed protocols.
5.3 Key Management and Attestation Procedures
Maintenance routines must incorporate procedures for managing the cryptographic keys residing in the TPM and any dedicated HSM.
1. **Key Backup and Rotation:** Critical root keys must be backed up to an offline, physically secured vault. A formalized key rotation schedule must be established, often dictated by compliance requirements (e.g., annually for high-assurance data). 2. **Platform Attestation Maintenance:** Regular verification that the Remote Attestation service (which validates the PCR values reported by the TPM) is functioning correctly. If the attestation server registers a failure (a change in the platform measurement), the server must be automatically quarantined until a manual review confirms the change was a legitimate firmware update, not an intrusion. This ties directly into NAC policies.
Failure to adhere to strict key management protocols renders the hardware security investment largely moot, as the keys—the ultimate asset—can be compromised through procedural error rather than technical exploit. Proper training on key ceremonies is essential for all maintenance staff accessing this configuration.
5.4 Software Stack Interaction
The security policy is enforced across the entire stack, requiring careful synchronization between layers:
- **Firmware:** Sets the initial hardware trust anchor.
- **Hypervisor (If present):** Must be certified to utilize the processor's TEE features correctly (e.g., VMX/SVM extensions configured for SEV/TDX).
- **Operating System:** Must be explicitly configured to measure and utilize the TPM (e.g., using `tpm2-tools` or OS-native security providers). Standard default installations often do not enable hardware-level security features by default, requiring extensive hardening procedures detailed in the Server Hardening Guide.
The complexity of managing this integrated security posture means that maintenance windows are typically longer than for standard servers, often requiring overnight or weekend deployment windows to accommodate full system re-verification cycles.
Intel-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Core i7-6700K/7700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB | CPU Benchmark: 8046 |
| Core i7-8700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 13124 |
| Core i9-9900K Server | 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 49969 |
| Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Workstation | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000 |
AMD-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 3600 Server | 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 17849 |
| Ryzen 7 7700 Server | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 35224 |
| Ryzen 9 5950X Server | 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 46045 |
| Ryzen 9 7950X Server | 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 63561 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) | 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) | 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 9454P Server | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe |
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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️