High-level synthesis-based watermarking using protein molecular biometric with facial biometric encryption

Abstract

This chapter discusses a watermarking-based hardware security methodology using an encrypted protein molecular biometric signature to secure hardware intellectual property (IP) cores against counterfeiting, IP piracy, and false assertion of IP ownership. In this method, the protein molecular biometric signature (watermark) is generated from the IP seller’s protein sample using protein sequencing, followed by robust encryption using facial biometric signature-based encryption key. Subsequently, the obtained watermark (encrypted protein signature) is transformed into covert security constraints using the IP seller’s mapping/embedding rule, which are then embedded into the design as an IP seller’s digital evidence. Integration of the IP seller’s authentic watermark provides a detective countermeasure against IP piracy and nullification of false assertion of IP ownership. The encrypted protein molecular watermarking methodology provides stronger digital evidence against piracy and greater resilience against tampering. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology and its licensors 2024.