SSPS: An UEFI Based Secure System-in-Pocket-Storage Approach to Desktop-Go-With-Person

The invention of personal computer together with its rapid deployment around the world are among the most important achievements that have changed lives of people in this planet. In modern society, people are becoming more dependent on computer devices. However, it’s difficult to bring computer hardware with us at any time and in any place, which is known as the desktop-go-with-person (DGWP) problem. Regarding it’s easy to find a nearby computer and bring tiny non-volatile memory devices with us, putting the entire desktop system software into pocket storage and loading it on any available hardware become an attractive approach. However, current computer software are tightly bound to hardware. Live USB systems are quite popular for trial run purpose; however, they are read-only system and limited to certain OSes. Also, the creating of live USB system from native installed desktop system is dependent to OS. In this paper, we proposed a new generic UEFI-based secure system-in-pocket-storage approach (SSPS) to address the DGWP problem by decoupling native installed system software from hardware, making software go with person and running it with any other computer hardware. The paper illustrated the SSPS overall block diagram and workflow, internal architecture, data structure and management of desktop system image, image loader and virtual disk driver, and security considerations during the design and implementation. Also, the paper provided system evaluation of SSPS approach as well as technology forecasts.