2025-02-04 Security HC Official Meeting Notes

Date

Feb 4, 2025

Disclosures

Participants

Name	Affiliation

Name	Affiliation
Alex Richardson (Google)	Individual
Alvin Chang (Andes Technology Corporation)	Andes Technology Corporation
Andrew Dellow (Qualcomm, Inc.)	Qualcomm, Inc.
baskaran chidambaram (MIPS)	Individual
Ben Laurie (Google LLC)	Google LLC
Bruno MUSSARD (STMicroelectronics International N.V.)	STMicroelectronics International N.V.
Daniel Gracia PÃ©rez (Thales SA)	Thales SA
deepak gupta (Rivos Inc)	Rivos Inc
Eckhard Delfs	Individual
Fabrice Marinet	Qualcomm
Franz Fuchs	Cambridge Universtiry
Geoffrey Thorpe (MIPS Tech LLC.)	Individual
Georgios Christou (Technical University of Crete)	Technical University of Crete
Hany Ragab	Individual
Jordan Jerome (Betrothed Ltd)	Betrothed Ltd
Kris Kwiatkowski (PQShield Ltd.)	Individual
LuÃs Fiolhais (Individual)	Individual
Nick Kossifidis (Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH))	Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH)
Osman Koyuncu	Individual
Paul Elliott (Codasip s.r.o.)	Codasip s.r.o.
Prashanth Mundkur (RISC-V International)	Individual
Ravi Sahita (Rivos Inc)	Rivos Inc
Roberto Avanzi (Qualcomm, Inc.)	Qualcomm, Inc.
Ronan Lashermes (Inria (French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation))	Inria (French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation)
Vedvyas Shanbhogue	Rivos Inc
Yann Loisel (SiFive)	SiFive
Yitian Chen	Individual

Agenda

review and approve previous minutes

Discussion on the need for a speculation barrier. In the temporal fence TG there was some discussion why a temporal fence was proposed and why not speculation barriers. It was noted that the two approaches are different, and the temporal fence, while difficult to test and certify, has been accepted as a requirement and needs to continue. The charter was approved by that TG. However, temporal fencing may be an addition or alternative with value, and may also be easier to test and certify. Does this group see the need for a speculation barrier. Which member will commit to participate in this discussion. Is there consensus on the best way forward ? This is a continuation of the discussion led by @Vedvyas Shanbhogue from last year.

do we set up an adhoc group to discuss, continue in security HC ?

@Vedvyas Shanbhogue presented a proposal for speculation barrier extension, with the difference from timing fences.

Does the security HC want to propose a speculation barrier TG to the TSC ?

request for folks to review the updated security model - the post-arc-review branch.

Request for folks to review the TEE whitepaper, mostly written by @Ravi Sahita . The plan is to share with the TSC, and potentially publish. It can be found at:

Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PjqAawMT6F-lSiEhtYO4KK8rGqoNayKrboCJ6BYt6TM/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.olop86cuom6q

Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15IaM-nxvwc40wUpUDAZrsi_69-zm28_Bl2sIbuTjgfE/edit#slide=id.p2

AOB

Presentations

	Title	Presenter	File

	Title	Presenter	File
1	transient execution and speculation barriers	ved	uarch-side-channels/minutes/18_Meeting_20241116/Transient Execution and Speculation Barriers.pdf at main · riscv-admin/uarch-side-channels
2

Votes

Quorum Status: 13/20 voting companies present so quorum met.
Vote Record

Agenda Item or Motion: Approval of the previous minutes
Motion Made By: paul elliott
Motion Seconded By: roberto avanzi

Voting Results:

In Favor: unanimous
Opposed: 0
Abstentions: 0

Outcome: passed

Additional Notes:

Agenda Item or Motion: The Security HC proposes the creation of a speculation barrier TG
Motion Made By: ronan lashermes
Motion Seconded By: nick kossifidis

Voting Results:

In Favor: unanimous
Opposed: 0
Abstentions: 0

Outcome: passed

Additional Notes: @Vedvyas Shanbhogue volunteered to drive the PoW creation. as per @Ravi Sahita the TG should be limited to speculation barriers to avoid ‘boiling the ocean’

Notes & Action Items

Adjournment

Motion to Adjourn Made By: ravi
Seconded By: kris
Time Adjourned: 17.04 GMT