Computing hardware is becoming increasingly complex and ubiquitous, making it a prime target for malicious attacks and a critical point of failure in regulatory compliance. While software-based security measures are common, they can often be bypassed. A more robust solution could involve embedding security features directly into the chip's architecture, which would help address gaps in export control enforcement, intellectual property protection, and emergency response in critical infrastructure.

How Hardware-Level Security Could Work

One way to improve security and governance would be to introduce hardware-level features in cutting-edge chips. These might include:

• Compliance verification: Cryptographic checks to ensure chips aren’t used in unauthorized regions or applications.
• Activity monitoring: Secure logging of operations without exposing proprietary data, enabling audits while protecting IP.
• Usage limits: Hard-coded restrictions on compute resources, preventing misuse (e.g., illicit AI training or crypto mining).
• Emergency controls: Remote shutdown or throttling for critical infrastructure chips in high-risk scenarios.

Existing chips might support some functions via firmware updates, but embedding these capabilities in silicon could offer greater tamper resistance.

Who Would Benefit and Why?

Different stakeholders could find value in such an approach:

• Governments: Could enforce export controls and security policies more effectively.
• Enterprises: Companies in defense, finance, or critical infrastructure might pay for enhanced security to reduce risks.
• Chipmakers: Could differentiate their products by offering built-in security, potentially at a premium.

However, adoption might face resistance from manufacturers due to added costs, unless regulations or customer demand drive implementation.

Implementation Pathways

A phased approach could help demonstrate feasibility and build momentum:

1. Start with firmware updates for existing chips to test basic compliance and monitoring features.
2. Run pilots with industries like defense or finance to validate real-world utility.
3. Collaborate with manufacturers to integrate key features into future chip designs.
4. Advocate for regulations requiring these capabilities in high-stakes applications.

Similar concepts exist (like Intel’s SGX or ARM TrustZone), but this idea expands beyond isolated security to broader governance—such as regulatory compliance and emergency controls.

While challenges like adoption resistance or privacy concerns would need addressing, hardware-level security could offer a more durable foundation for protecting critical compute infrastructure.