AUTHENTICATION USING AN EPHEMERAL ASYMMETRIC KEYPAIR

A prover chip uses a key multiplier value generated by a proof-of-work function from a challenge value, a random number, and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) techniques to generate a one-time (or ephemeral) use private key. Similarly, a verifier chip uses the key multiplier value generated by an equivalent proof-of-work function, a public key received from the prover, and ECC techniques to derive a one-time use public key that corresponds to the ephemeral private key generated by the prover chip. The prover chip uses the ephemeral private key to sign the second challenge value and send this signed second challenge value to the verifier chip. The verifier verifies the value it receives using the one-time use public key and if the signature on the second challenge value is valid, authenticates the prover chip to a system.