Advanced Encryption Standard Crypto Block Verification Utility

The rise in security threats among computer/home/office networks; be it in business, consumer devices, industries and government institutions has taken a toll in the integrity of data consumed and shared. In addition to cyber-attacks in the internet, hacking of connected devices in a network is the next big challenge that the future IOT applications would face. Data being the precious resource has been vulnerable ever since the advent of Internet technology. Strengthening and maintaining the security aspects of the devices connected need to be considered proactively. Inclusion of security controllers from Microchip Technology Inc. redefines the security needed for IOT applications. CEC170X security controllers is Microchip's product which has inbuilt cryptographic engines that ensures the firmware in the devices is valid. Malware intrusion/hacking of devices with untrusted firmware can be easily detected with the use of these controllers and thus makes sure the devices connected to the network boots up securely and involve in data transaction only if the firmware residing in the devices has a valid signature. This work focuses on development of a software utility to automate the verification the AES crypto block in CEC1702 security controller provided by Microchip Technology Inc in order to see that the AES engine functions as per the NIST FIPS 197 security standards.