Security
Secure Compute Platform: Detailed Technical Specification and Deployment Guide
This document provides a comprehensive technical overview of the specialized server configuration designated for high-security compute environments, often referred to as the "Guardian" platform. This configuration prioritizes data integrity, confidentiality, and robust access control through stringent hardware and firmware measures.
1. Hardware Specifications
The Guardian platform is engineered from the ground up to minimize potential hardware-level vulnerabilities, incorporating trusted execution environments (TEEs) and tamper-resistant modules. All components are validated against stringent FIPS 140-3 standards where applicable.
1.1 Central Processing Units (CPUs)
The system utilizes dual-socket processors featuring advanced security extensions. Key focus areas include hardware root-of-trust (HRoT) integration and memory encryption capabilities.
| Feature | Specification | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Processor Model | Intel Xeon Scalable (4th Gen,Sapphire Rapids) Platinum Series (e.g., 8480+) | High core count combined with integrated Intel TXT support. |
| Sockets | 2 (Dual Socket Configuration) | Ensures high parallel processing capability while maintaining robust NUMA domain isolation. |
| Base Clock Frequency | 2.2 GHz (Nominal) | Optimized for sustained throughput rather than peak burst performance, favoring security overhead management. |
| Cores Per Socket | 56C / 112T (Total 112 Cores / 224 Threads) | Provides ample resources for cryptographic operations and virtualization overhead. |
| Cache (L3 Total) | 112 MB per socket (224 MB total) | Large, high-speed cache aids in minimizing external memory access, reducing potential side-channel exposure. |
| Memory Encryption Engine | Integrated AES-256 GCM acceleration | Hardware offload for AES operations, crucial for in-transit and at-rest encryption. |
| Platform Security Processor (PSP/ME) | Latest Generation (Intel Management Engine Firmware v16.x) | Secure firmware management and remote attestation capabilities. Firmware signed and cryptographically verified upon boot. |
1.2 System Memory (RAM)
Memory configuration is critical for preventing cold boot attacks and ensuring data confidentiality during runtime. All installed memory modules are configured for full hardware encryption.
| Feature | Specification | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | 2048 GB (2 TB) DDR5 ECC RDIMM | High capacity to support large, encrypted datasets and numerous virtualized secure enclaves. |
| Configuration | 32 x 64 GB DIMMs (Populated in all memory channels per socket) | Optimizes memory bandwidth utilization across both CPUs. |
| Speed | DDR5-4800 MT/s | Modern speed standard, supporting on-die ECC and higher power efficiency. |
| Error Correction | ECC (Error-Correcting Code) with full system mirroring support | Standard requirement for data integrity in high-assurance environments. |
| Encryption Standard | AMD Secure Memory Encryption (SME) or Intel Total Memory Encryption (TME) / MKTME | Mandatory hardware-level memory encryption to thwart physical probing and cold boot attacks. Specific implementation depends on motherboard chipset compatibility. |
| Security Feature | Memory Bus Isolation | Hardware partitioning of memory channels to limit cross-CPU data leakage. |
1.3 Storage Subsystem
The storage architecture prioritizes high-speed, tamper-evident storage devices, leveraging hardware root-of-trust for drive boot sequencing and data encryption.
| Component | Specification | Role in Security |
|---|---|---|
| Boot Drive (OS/Firmware) | 2 x 1.92 TB NVMe U.2 SSD (RAID 1 Mirror) | Utilizes drives with Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) capabilities, leveraging TCG Opal 2.0 standards. |
| Primary Data Storage Array | 16 x 7.68 TB NVMe PCIe Gen 5 U.2 SSDs (RAID 6/10) | High I/O capacity for cryptographic workloads. Drives are managed by a dedicated Hardware RAID controller with onboard cryptographic co-processor. |
| RAID Controller | Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9690W (or equivalent with Secure Key Management) | Features onboard cryptographic module for array-level encryption, independent of CPU TME. |
| Firmware Integrity | Secure Boot & Measured Boot Support | All storage firmware (including RAID controller BIOS) is validated against the Platform Root of Trust (PRoT) before execution. Detailed boot flow documentation is required. |
| Removable Media Bay | 2 x Hot-Swap Bays (Optional) | Designed for forensic imaging or secure data transfer, configured with hardware write-protect switches. |
1.4 Motherboard and Platform Firmware
The foundation of the security posture lies in the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) and BIOS/UEFI firmware integrity.
| Feature | Specification | Security Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | C741 or equivalent Server Chipset | Supports full PCIe bifurcation and hardware isolation features required for secure I/O. |
| BIOS/UEFI | AMI Aptio V or Phoenix SecureCore | Must support Secure Boot (PK, KEK, DB, DBX management) and Measured Boot (PCR logging). |
| Trusted Platform Module (TPM) | Discrete TPM 2.0 Module (Infineon SLB 9670 or equivalent) | Dedicated cryptographic hardware for key storage, platform state measurement (PCRs), and sealing operations. Meets current industry standards. |
| BMC Controller | ASPEED AST2600 (or equivalent with hardened firmware) | Firmware must be hardened against remote exploits and support cryptographic attestation (e.g., Redfish Secure Endpoint). |
| Physical Security | Chassis Intrusion Detection Sensor (CIDS) | Triggers alerts and potentially initiates remote shutdown/lockout routines upon physical tampering detection. |
1.5 Networking and I/O
Network interfaces are configured for maximum isolation and performance, often utilizing dedicated offload engines.
| Component | Specification | Security Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Network Interface (LAN 1-2) | 2 x 25 GbE (Base-T or SFP28) | Used for standard management and data plane traffic. Requires hardware-based QoS/ACLs. |
| Secondary Network Interface (LAN 3-4) | 2 x 100 GbE Mellanox ConnectX-6/7 (Optional) | Dedicated for high-throughput encrypted traffic (e.g., VPN tunnels, encrypted storage fabric). |
| Remote Management Port | Dedicated 1 GbE (IPMI/Redfish) | Must be physically isolated on a separate management VLAN; firmware must support certificate-based authentication only. Hardening guidelines apply. |
| PCIe Slots | Minimum 6 x PCIe Gen 5 x16 Slots | Required for adding specialized cryptographic accelerators (e.g., FPGAs, HSMs) or dedicated network cards. |
2. Performance Characteristics
The Guardian configuration is not optimized purely for raw throughput but for *secure throughput*. The performance characteristics reflect the overhead introduced by mandatory hardware encryption (TME/SME) and cryptographic attestation processes.
2.1 Cryptographic Throughput Benchmarks
The primary performance metric for this platform is sustained encrypted I/O and cryptographic operation rates.
Test Environment Setup:
- OS: Hardened Linux Kernel (5.15+) with mandatory integrity checks.
- Workload: 4K Random Read/Write (70% Read / 30% Write).
- Encryption Layer: Full TME enabled; Storage array encrypted via AES-256 XTS.
| Metric | Result (TME Enabled) | Comparison (Non-Encrypted Baseline) | Overhead Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Random 4K IOPS (Read) | 1,850,000 IOPS | 2,100,000 IOPS | ~11.9% reduction |
| Random 4K IOPS (Write) | 920,000 IOPS | 1,050,000 IOPS | ~12.4% reduction |
| Sequential Throughput (Read/Write) | 28 GB/s (Combined) | 32 GB/s (Combined) | ~12.5% reduction |
| AES-256 GCM (Ops/Sec) | 450 Giga-operations/sec | N/A (Hardware Accelerated) | Excellent hardware offload utilization. |
2.2 Virtualization and Isolation Performance
When hosting sensitive workloads via hypervisors (e.g., VMware ESXi, KVM with QEMU/SEV), the performance impact of nested security features must be quantified.
Key Consideration: The platform relies heavily on the CPU’s Memory Encryption Engine (MEE) and I/O virtualization extensions (e.g., Intel VT-x with EPT/VT-d).
- **VM Density:** Due to the required memory overhead for TME page table management (though minimal), VM density is reduced by approximately 5% compared to non-encrypted systems when running on the same hardware footprint.
- **Latency Impact:** Measured end-to-end latency for secure inter-VM communication shows an average increase of 1.2 microseconds, primarily attributed to the TEE validation handshake during VM startup and subsequent memory access checks. Further analysis on specific hypervisors is available.
2.3 Power Consumption and Thermal Profile
The inclusion of multiple encryption engines (CPU MEE, RAID controller crypto chip, SEDs) results in a slightly elevated baseline power draw, even at idle, due to the continuous operation required for key management and integrity checks.
- **Idle Power Draw (Monitored):** 450W (Excluding NVMe drives in deep sleep state).
- **Peak Load Power Draw:** 1850W (Fully loaded CPUs, maximum storage I/O).
The thermal profile requires robust cooling, typically demanding a minimum of 1400 Watts of sustained cooling capacity per rack unit (RU) slot to maintain optimal thermal throttling thresholds, especially when high-utilization cryptographic accelerators are installed. Compliance with ASHRAE guidelines is mandatory.
3. Recommended Use Cases
This security-hardened configuration is overkill for general-purpose Web serving or standard virtualization clusters. It is specifically designed for environments requiring the highest levels of data protection against both external attackers and insider threats (including firmware/hardware compromise).
3.1 Classified Data Processing (Government/Defense)
The platform's reliance on mandatory TME/SME addresses requirements for protecting data at rest and in use, crucial for handling data classified up to Top Secret (depending on final system accreditation).
- **Requirement Fulfillment:** Meets stringent requirements for TCG compliance and hardware root-of-trust validation.
- **Application:** Secure database hosting (e.g., Oracle TDE with hardware key storage), secure container orchestration (Kubernetes clusters with Confidential Computing features like Intel SGX or AMD SEV-SNP).
3.2 Financial Transaction Processing and Key Management
Financial institutions require non-repudiation and absolute confidentiality for transaction logs and cryptographic keys.
- **Use Case:** Hosting Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) or virtualized HSM services. The dedicated TPM 2.0 module acts as a secure anchor point, while TME protects the running processes managing the sensitive keys.
- **Benefit:** Isolates the critical key management process from the general OS kernel, even one that might be compromised.
3.3 Intellectual Property (IP) Protection and Digital Rights Management (DRM)
For organizations protecting highly valuable algorithmic models or proprietary source code from reverse engineering or exfiltration.
- **Confidential Computing Enclaves:** The hardware provides the necessary foundation to run applications entirely within isolated enclaves (e.g., using technologies like SGX or AMD SEV-SNP), ensuring that even the privileged hypervisor or host administrator cannot inspect the running code or data.
3.4 Secure Cloud Infrastructure Backends
Providers offering high-assurance Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) or Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) requiring verifiable isolation between tenants.
- **Attestation Services:** The platform is capable of generating remote attestation reports via the BMC and TPM, proving to a remote verifier that the system is running only authorized, untampered firmware and software stacks before provisioning sensitive workloads. This is a core feature.
4. Comparison with Similar Configurations
To understand the value proposition of the Guardian platform, it must be contrasted with standard high-performance (HP) and general-purpose (GP) server configurations.
4.1 Configuration Matrix Comparison
| Feature | Guardian (Security Focus) | High Performance (HP) | General Purpose (GP) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Security Features | Mandatory TME/SME, Full TXT | Optional TME/SME, Basic TXT | None/Default Configuration | |
| Memory Encryption | 100% Hardware Enforced (Mandatory) | Optional/Disabled for speed | Disabled | |
| Boot Integrity | Measured Boot via TPM 2.0 (Mandatory PCR logging) | Standard Secure Boot | Basic BIOS/UEFI | |
| Storage Encryption | Hardware SED + RAID Crypto Co-processor | Software RAID/OS Encryption Only | Direct Attached Storage (DAS) | |
| Maximum RAM Capacity | 2 TB DDR5 (Encrypted) | 4 TB DDR5 (Unencrypted) | 1 TB DDR4/DDR5 | |
| Relative Cost Index (Normalized) | 1.8x | 1.2x | 1.0x | |
| Peak Throughput (Non-Crypto Workloads) | High (11.9% overhead) | Highest (Baseline) | Medium |
4.2 TME vs. Software Encryption Overhead
A critical differentiator is the move from software-based encryption (like LUKS or OS-level disk encryption) to hardware memory encryption (TME/SME).
- **Software Encryption (LUKS/dm-crypt):** Relies on CPU instruction sets (like AES-NI) running in the operating system context. A compromised kernel or a sophisticated side-channel attack can potentially bypass or inspect keys residing in the unencrypted CPU registers or cache lines. Performance overhead typically ranges from 15% to 30% for intensive workloads.
- **Hardware Encryption (TME/SME):** The memory controller handles encryption/decryption transparently using keys generated and managed exclusively within the CPU security environment (e.g., the TEE). The OS has no direct access to the plain text data unless explicitly permitted by the hardware security parameters. This results in lower, more predictable overhead (~10-15%) and vastly superior protection against physical attacks (e.g., DMA attacks or memory scraping). This forms the basis of Confidential Computing.
4.3 Comparison with Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) Only Systems
Some systems focus solely on application-level TEEs (like SGX) without enforcing full system memory encryption.
- The Guardian platform, by mandating TME/SME, provides a wider security envelope. SGX protects specific code segments (enclaves), but the rest of the OS kernel, hypervisor, and non-enclaved application data remain vulnerable to memory snooping.
- The Guardian configuration ensures *all* data in RAM is protected, offering defense-in-depth against kernel-level rootkits or hypervisor compromises, which SGX alone cannot fully mitigate without significant application refactoring.
5. Maintenance Considerations
Deploying a high-assurance system requires specialized maintenance protocols that prioritize integrity checks over quick fixes. Standard break/fix procedures are insufficient.
5.1 Firmware Management and Updates
Firmware integrity is paramount. Any update process must be verifiable and auditable.
- **Update Procedure:** All firmware updates (BIOS, BMC, RAID Controller, NICs) must be digitally signed by the OEM or a designated trusted authority. The BMC must validate the signature against stored public keys before flashing.
- **Measured Boot Impact:** Applying a significant firmware update (e.g., BIOS update) will change the Platform Configuration Registers (PCRs) stored in the TPM. This requires re-attestation and potentially the re-sealing of sensitive data or keys managed by the TPM. A documented "Trusted Update Cycle" must be established. Auditing tooling tracks PCR evolution.
- **BMC Access Control:** Access to the BMC (via Redfish or KCS interface) must be restricted via physical port isolation and enforced certificate authentication. Default credentials must be immediately disabled and replaced with strong, unique keys.
5.2 Physical Security and Tamper Response
Given the hardware focus, physical access control is an operational security requirement.
- **Chassis Intrusion Monitoring:** The CIDS sensor must be connected to the BMC logging system. Any intrusion alert must trigger an immediate, non-maskable event, potentially leading to:
1. System shutdown. 2. Key-scrubbing operation (erasing volatile keys stored in CPU caches/registers). 3. Remote notification to the security operations center (SOC).
- **Component Replacement:** Replacement of any component (RAM, CPU, Storage) must be treated as a potential security event. The system must undergo a full System Re-Attestation Process post-replacement to confirm the new component’s firmware integrity and ensure the hardware root of trust remains valid.
5.3 Power Requirements and Redundancy
The system demands highly stable power delivery to ensure the integrity of cryptographic processes, especially during power state transitions.
- **UPS Requirement:** A high-quality, double-conversion Online UPS is mandatory. The UPS must be capable of providing clean power for at least 30 minutes under full load to allow for graceful shutdown or controlled failover during utility power loss.
- **PSU Configuration:** Dual, redundant, hot-swappable 2000W 80+ Platinum power supply units (PSUs) are required to handle the peak load (1850W) with sufficient headroom for efficiency and redundancy (N+1). Adherence to high-efficiency standards reduces thermal load.
5.4 Software Stack Hardening
While hardware-focused, the operational environment must complement the hardware security posture.
- **Kernel Hardening:** Use of SELinux/AppArmor in enforcing mode, strict control over kernel module loading, and disabling unnecessary services.
- **Disk Encryption Key Mgmt:** Keys derived from the TPM should be used to unlock the disk encryption keys (stored on the SEDs). This ensures that even if the physical drive is removed, the data remains protected unless the attacker possesses the system's unique hardware identity (TPM seal). This section details key rotation.
- **Hypervisor Security:** If virtualized, the hypervisor layer must be minimal (e.g., bare-metal KVM or ESXi) and configured for strict isolation, leveraging hardware virtualization extensions (VT-d/IOMMU) to segment I/O access paths. Understanding IOMMU grouping is vital.
--- This comprehensive configuration provides an industry-leading foundation for workloads where data confidentiality and platform integrity cannot be compromised by software vulnerabilities alone.
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.* ⚠️