cryptographic coprocessor

cryptographic coprocessor

A hardware module that includes a processor specialized for encryption and related processing. Such devices are built with numerous protection features that prevent unauthorized retrieval of data as well as from having their circuits reverse engineered. A cryptographic coprocessor may provide only encryption, or it may include certain transaction processing. For example, a smart card coprocessor includes smart card functions in order to house them in the same protective environment as the encryption algorithm. See glitch attack and cryptographic module.

Copyright © 1981-2025 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.