https://community.nxp.com/t5/i-MX-RT-Crossover-MCUs/Need-for-encrypted-code-in-internal-QSPI/m-p/1211399#M12167 <P>Hi All</P><P>I would like to know whether anyone knows of potential security problems when running unencrypted code from XiP internal QSPI in i.MX RT 1024 or i.MX RT 1064?</P><P>Background:<BR />- when on-the-fly encryption is used in XiP QSPI flash there is a performance hit over un-encrypted operation (I have "heard" of 1/3 but not found a specification for the actual overhead)<BR />- assuming there is no way to access the content of the internal QSPI flash (JTAG/SWD and ISP disabled), or monitor any of the internal signals, it is presumably safe to store code in unencrypted form and thus <STRONG>not have any performance reduction</STRONG>.</P><P>If this can be confirmed it can give an incentive to using these parts with integrated memory over parts needing external QSPI, in addition to saving space and inventory overhead.</P><P>Regards</P><P>Mark</P><P>&nbsp;</P> Thu, 14 Jan 2021 00:43:16 GMT mjbcswitzerland 2021-01-14T00:43:16Z https://community.nxp.com/t5/i-MX-RT-Crossover-MCUs/Need-for-encrypted-code-in-internal-QSPI/m-p/1211399#M12167 <P>Hi All</P><P>I would like to know whether anyone knows of potential security problems when running unencrypted code from XiP internal QSPI in i.MX RT 1024 or i.MX RT 1064?</P><P>Background:<BR />- when on-the-fly encryption is used in XiP QSPI flash there is a performance hit over un-encrypted operation (I have "heard" of 1/3 but not found a specification for the actual overhead)<BR />- assuming there is no way to access the content of the internal QSPI flash (JTAG/SWD and ISP disabled), or monitor any of the internal signals, it is presumably safe to store code in unencrypted form and thus <STRONG>not have any performance reduction</STRONG>.</P><P>If this can be confirmed it can give an incentive to using these parts with integrated memory over parts needing external QSPI, in addition to saving space and inventory overhead.</P><P>Regards</P><P>Mark</P><P>&nbsp;</P> Thu, 14 Jan 2021 00:43:16 GMT https://community.nxp.com/t5/i-MX-RT-Crossover-MCUs/Need-for-encrypted-code-in-internal-QSPI/m-p/1211399#M12167 mjbcswitzerland 2021-01-14T00:43:16Z