# Hardware Key Operations

## Overview

GetTrusted leverages **Secure Enclave (Apple)** and **StrongBox (Android)** to generate and store non-exportable private keys. All cryptographic operations (signing, decryption) happen *inside hardware*, ensuring the private key is never exposed.

## Process Flow

```mermaid
flowchart LR
  subgraph iOS / macOS [Secure Enclave]
    A1[Biometric Auth - Face ID or Touch ID] --> B1[Create Key kSecAttrToken=SecureEnclave]
    B1 --> C1[Non-exportable P-256 Keypair]
    C1 --> D1[Store Identity - Private Key + Certificate]
    D1 --> E1[Sign / Decrypt Operation - Private Key stays in enclave]
  end

  subgraph Android [StrongBox]
    A2[Biometric Auth• Fingerprint or Face] --> B2[Create Key in StrongBox]
    B2 --> C2[Non-exportable P-256 Keypair]
    C2 --> D2[Store Identity - Android Keystore]
    D2 --> E2[Sign / Decrypt Operation - Private Key stays in hardware]
  end
```

## Cryptographic Summary

| Component      | Platform        | Algorithm   | Key Size | Exportable            | Notes               |
| -------------- | --------------- | ----------- | -------- | --------------------- | ------------------- |
| Secure Enclave | iOS/macOS       | ECDSA P-256 | 256 bit  | ❌                     | Biometric-protected |
| StrongBox      | Android         | ECDSA P-256 | 256 bit  | ❌                     | Biometric-protected |
| Signing        | SHA256withECDSA | 256 bit     | N/A      | In-hardware execution |                     |
| Encryption     | AES-GCM         | 256 bit     | N/A      | Session encryption    |                     |

{% hint style="info" %}

### Security Guarantees

* Private keys are **generated and remain inside** secure hardware.
* **Biometric gates** prevent unauthorized use.
* **Hardware attestation** ensures key provenance.
* Keys persist securely across app reinstalls but cannot be extracted.
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}

### Strategic Implications

GetTrusted’s hardware integration makes cryptographic identity **human-verifiable and hardware-rooted**.\
Even physical compromise typically cannot reveal secrets security extends from silicon to software.
{% endhint %}


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