A family of cross-platform keys for licensing, protection and management of hardware and software product sales. Satisfies the maximum security requirements due to code execution directly inside the protected device.

List of solutions, that include the product

Desktop and server software
Protection of software from reverse engineering

Advantages

Codeinside

Allows executing part of the code directly inside the dongle to protect mechanisms and provide secure licensing

Cross-platformness

Ensures the operation of the key in any operating system and on any device equipped with a USB interface

Protected memory

Prevents unauthorized reading of the license, calling the downloaded code and analyzing the logic of the key operation at the hardware level

Remote update mechanism

Allows to remotely update the license and downloadable code in the key without the possibility of substituting their data

Secure exchange protocol

Uses encryption based on unique session keys when transferring data between the application and the hardware key

Models

Guardant Code

on request

The basic model in the classic form factor

Guardant Code Micro

on request

A model in a miniature form factor for use on laptops and tablets

Guardant Code Type-C

on request

A miniature model for use on mobile devices with a USB type-C connector

Guardant Code Net

on request

A model for protecting network software

Guardant Code SD

on request

A model with a removable microSD flash card for software distribution

Guardant Code Time

on request

A model with a battery to limit the software operating time

Guardant Code Time Net

on request

A model with a battery to protect network software and limit its operation time

Guardant Code Embedded

on request

Cross-platform hardware key in the SOM form factor

Key operation scheme

Using the downloadable code

Preparing and loading the code requires the developer to perform several steps:

The developer selects arbitrary code in accordance with the task being solved and taking into account the recommendations of Guardant.

2. The loaded code is ported to the C language and converted for use in the hardware key. At this stage, it is possible to embed the use of built-in key functions into the code: call cryptographic algorithms, perform time licensing (for Time keys), write/read data in memory cells, and others.

3. With the help of the GCC compiler and the Guardant SDK utilities, the loaded code is assembled and written to the key memory.

4. After that, the loaded code can be used from a secure application by simply calling the Guardant API functions. In fact, the program code and the key become one.

Application protection scheme

The final application protection scheme depends on the specific task. However, the basic principle can be represented as follows:

The application is "binded" to the license using automatic protection tools, downloadable code and a special API;
The license is securely stored in the key memory;
During operation, the protected application constantly exchanges information with the key. If the key is missing or includes unsuitable or expired license, then the software does not work.

Thus, copying a protected program makes no sense, since without a key it becomes inoperable.

Characteristics

Licensing models

Perpetual	√
Number of launches/uses	√
Limitation on functions/modules	√
Number of network (competitive) licenses with counting copies of the program / workstations/ connections	for "Net" models
Limitation of operation time	for "Time" models
Custom, including a hardware DRM system	√

Security mechanisms

Unique Key ID	in the key memory and on the case
Symmetric AES-128 encryption	√
Digital signature on ECC160 elliptic curves	√
Tunnel encryption of exchange protocol traffic	√
Storing and executing arbitrary code inside a key	up to 20,000 lines in C language

Operating mode

Supported Drivers	HID, Guardant driver
Supported OS	any
Supported platforms	any
USB interface	1.1 and above

Memory

Protected memory for licenses and data	4 Kbytes
Protected memory for downloadable code	128 Kbytes
Independent flash memory	up to 64 GB in "Code SD" models
Data storage period (protected memory / flash)	from 10 years

Clock

Real-time clock	for "Time" models
Average battery life	5 years
Clock lag	up to 15 minutes per year

Guarantee

Key	3 years
Battery	1 year
Independent flash memory	1 year

Physical characteristics

Case color (standard)	Violet
Key size	Full-size models 47x16x8 mm "Code micro" model 18x16x6 mm «Code Type-С» model 15x8x8 mm
Key weight	Full-size models 6.3 gr. "Code micro" model 4 gr. "Code Type-C" model 4 gr.
Air temperature during storage/transportation	from -40 to + 70 °C, for "Time" models from +0 to +45 °C
Air temperature during key operation	from +0 to +45 °C
Relative humidity of the air	from 0 to 100% non-condensing

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