Method and apparatus for securing communications ports in an electronic device

1. An apparatus comprising:

at least one port for coupling signals to the apparatus;

a pull-up/down mode selector for setting the apparatus to a normal mode or a debug mode; and

a port control for controlling access to secure information in the apparatus through the port in accordance with the selected mode, wherein when the apparatus is in the debug mode, access to a root key is prevented and an alternate key is accessible.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a circuit for latching a state of the pull-up/down mode selector in response to a reset signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein different levels of accessibility are provided depending upon one or both of: the nature of the port, and a level of security risk posed by unauthorized access to that port.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a disc drive.

5. An apparatus comprising:

at least one port for coupling signals to the apparatus;

a mode selector for setting the apparatus to a normal mode or a debug mode; and

a port control for controlling access to secure information in the apparatus through the port in accordance with the selected mode,

wherein the port control only permits a drive firmware download if the device does not initially include drive firmware.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the apparatus provides an indication of a reduced state of trust when in the debug mode.

7. A method of controlling access to at least one port of an apparatus, the method comprising:

setting the apparatus to a normal mode or a debug mode using a pull-up/down mode selector; and

controlling access to secure information in the apparatus through the port in accordance with the selected mode, wherein when the apparatus is in the debug mode, the step of controlling access to secure information comprises preventing access to a root key and providing access to an alternate key.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

latching a state of the pull-up/down mode selector in response to a reset signal.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the steps preventing access to a root key, and providing access to an alternate key comprise:

switching a root key path to an alternate key path.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein different levels of accessibility are provided depending upon the nature of the port and/or upon a level of security risk posed by unauthorized access to that port.

11. A method of controlling access to at least one port of an apparatus, the method comprising:

setting the apparatus to a normal mode or a debug mode using a mode selector; and

controlling access to secure information in the apparatus through the port in accordance with the selected mode, wherein the port control only permits a drive firmware download if the device does not initially include drive firmware.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the apparatus provides an indication of a reduced state of trust when in the debug mode.

13. A method of controlling access to at least one port of an apparatus, the method comprising:

setting the apparatus to a normal mode or a debug mode using a mode selector; and

controlling access to secure information in the apparatus through the port in accordance with the selected mode, wherein:

when the apparatus is in the normal mode, initialize a serial port to a disabled state, and check for valid drive firmware in the apparatus, then if valid drive firmware is in the apparatus, control the serial port using the drive firmware; and

when the apparatus is in the debug mode, enable the serial port only for download of drive firmware.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

providing an indication of a reduced state of trust when the apparatus is in the debug mode.

15. A method of controlling access to at least one port of an apparatus, the method comprising:

setting the apparatus to a normal mode or a debug mode using a mode selector; and

controlling access to secure information in the apparatus through the port in accordance with the selected mode, wherein when the apparatus is in the normal mode, valid drive firmware is in the apparatus, and the serial port is enabled, then allow drive firmware download through the serial port, a host interface, or an authenticated JTAG access.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

providing an indication of a reduced state of trust when the apparatus is in the debug mode.

17. A method of controlling access to at least one port of an apparatus, the method comprising:

setting the apparatus to a normal mode or a debug mode using a mode selector; and

controlling access to secure information in the apparatus through the port in accordance with the selected mode, wherein when the apparatus is in the normal mode, valid drive firmware is in the apparatus, and the serial port is disabled, then allow drive firmware download through a host interface, or an authenticated JTAG access.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

providing an indication of a reduced state of trust when the apparatus is in the debug mode.

19. A method of controlling access to at least one port of an apparatus, the method comprising:

setting the apparatus to a normal mode or a debug mode using a mode selector; and

controlling access to secure information in the apparatus through the port in accordance with the selected mode, wherein when the apparatus is in the normal mode and valid drive firmware is not in the apparatus, enable the serial port only for download of drive firmware.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

disabling a JTAG port during power-up and when the apparatus is in the normal mode.

21. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

enabling a JTAG port in one of a plurality of operating modes.