HardwareVerschlüsselung

HardwareVersch... is a community-driven open hardware initiative focused on delivering hardware-accelerated cryptography for devices and systems. Proposed in the early 2020s, the project aims to provide transparent, auditable cryptographic modules that can be integrated into consumer electronics, enterprise equipment, and embedded platforms. It emphasizes openness of design, reference implementations, and interoperability across vendors.

Its architectural concept centers on a cryptographic coprocessor combined with a secure element, supported by a true random number generator and a small control microcontroller. Modules are designed around open interfaces such as SPI, I2C, PCIe, and USB, enabling integration in a range of platforms. Supported algorithms include AES for symmetric encryption, SHA-3 for hashing, RSA and ECC for public keys, and post-quantum candidates, with attestation and secure boot features to verify integrity.

Development and governance are managed through public repositories, collaborative forums, and drafts of hardware and firmware specifications. The project uses an open hardware license and encourages independent verification, with reference designs and bill of materials intended to lower barriers to adoption.

Its use cases include secure boot and firmware validation, trusted computing modules for servers and embedded systems, secure enclaves in consumer devices, IoT device security, and automotive electronic control units. The effort seeks to complement existing standards such as TPM and HSM by offering open designs and potential cost reductions through shared components.

Reception is mixed; supporters cite transparency and educational value, while critics note the lack of formal certification pathways and the challenge of achieving broad interoperability and scale in manufacturing. As an evolving project, HardwareVersch... remains exploratory rather than an established standard.