Jim Fahrny

Abstract: PUFs: The New School of Device Authentication

The presentation for Cyberseed is focused on defining the two types of Physically Unclonable Functions (PUF) at a high level and how you can use a PUF to add a hardware root of trust to devices. This is done with SRAM PUFs or it can be accomplished with Ring Oscillator PUFs. The level of security for the hardware root of trust is based on what security resources are available in the device that the PUF is being added.

Bio:

James Fahrny is one of the icons of security knowledge in U.S. cable, as well as the U.S. broadcast media market as a whole. Mr. Fahrny has been the driving force behind the Xfinity X-1 security architecture, Electronic Sell Through (EST), TV Everywhere (TVE), University deployments and several other security initiatives within Comcast. He was the driving force behind the Downloadable Conditional Access System (DCAS) architecture within Comcast back in 2006. Jim has an extensive background and experience in Conditional Access Systems for video security including hardware key management, Digital Rights Management, Home Networking Security and security protocols and standards. Mr. Fahrny is author of more than 20+ patents for security related to video distribution, content protection systems and DRM. He is highly recognized for his leadership qualities in lead technical roles in both commercial and DOD business sectors.

James Fahrny is known as a results oriented leader with a strong understanding of systems security engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering and 38 years of experience in various engineering disciplines. Mr Fahrny has a strong background in security architectures, cryptography, security ASIC development, satellite communications, secure voice and data communications. He also worked on military aircraft, Inertial Navigation and GPS, submarines, sonar, weapon systems, ballistic missiles, C3I, Mission Planning, computer graphics, and system architectures. Mr Fahrny has a wide-ranging background in electrical engineering, software engineering, systems engineering, real-time embedded systems, project and program management, and lead technical roles in both commercial and DOD business sectors. Author of 20+ granted patents and 16+ pending. He is also an author on numerous technical papers relating to information security, real-time systems, and software engineering. Mr Fahrny graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from California Polytechnic University, Pomona.