Side-Channel Resistance

Definition ∞ Side-channel resistance refers to the ability of a cryptographic implementation to withstand attacks that exploit information leaked inadvertently from its physical execution. These attacks analyze data such as power consumption, electromagnetic radiation, or timing variations during cryptographic operations to deduce secret keys. Robust side-channel resistance ensures that sensitive data cannot be compromised through these indirect observations. This property is critical for hardware security modules and secure processors.
Context ∞ Side-channel resistance is a significant topic in hardware security and advanced cryptography news, particularly for devices handling digital asset private keys or sensitive personal data. Research into new side-channel attack vectors and corresponding countermeasures is ongoing. Understanding this concept is essential for evaluating the physical security and integrity of cryptographic implementations.