Quixant - secure gaming computers and SBCs

Security

Secure Computing for Gaming

Security is a major consideration for all gaming machines. Any system needs to protect against:

  • Tampering aimed at generating false pay-outs during operation
  • Copying or cloning of complete machines or the software inside

In the past, wholly-proprietary designs provided a degree of protection through their closed architecture. However, the trend towards PC-based gaming removes even this modest level of protection.

Whilst PC technology provides a wealth of advantages for gaming it lacks any security architecture. Adding security is difficult, as it is often either weak, destroys PC-compatibility or requires major software support. It is usually only effective against casual users who do not have debugging tools.

Quixant has used its combined knowledge of the PC architecture and the gaming industry to design security into every aspect of the QX-10. The QX-10 is unique in preserving the ease-of-use of the PC architecture whilst at the same time providing extremely high levels of security at all levels of the system. Key features are:

Cryptography

Quixant Total Encryption™ technology:

  • All of the software and firmware on the QX-10 is encrypted using the ultra-secure AES method, which is the successor to DES and 3DES (triple DES)
  • The QX-10 hardware decryption engine decrypts all software in real-time, with minimal performance overheads
  • Customers generate, program and keep secret their own cryptographic keys
  • Keys are permanently held within the decryption engine and never appear on any system buses during operation

Design

  • The board has no expansion buses, preventing access to data
  • Most critical devices have no accessible pins (BGA package), preventing probing
  • The PCB features inner layers of routing with critical signals hidden
  • The presence of all major devices is checked and booting prevented if tampering is detected

Identification and validation

  • Each motherboard has a unique identity, or can be part of a batch designed to run only one game. Backplanes and other devices in the system may also be given unique serial numbers
  • All software is automatically authenticated before execution, any unauthorised modification resulting in the system being disabled
  • Updates to the code can only be achieved using correctly encrypted and signed software on either Compact Flash or via a USB key

Closed platform

  • The QX-10 is a closed platform - it will only run your game!
  • Quixant's highly-optimised embedded Linux is tuned to prevent any probing of the system

Tamper-resistant

  • Eight intrusion sensors track all physical access, even when the power is off
  • The advanced thermal design allows the casing to be made without ventilation holes, further enhancing physical security

Easy to use

  • The QX-10 security functions require no changes to software code to implement
  • All security functions are supported directly by the tools, requiring no specialised security training, software development or external consultants

Can you afford not to?

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