Abstract
Physical systems are becoming increasingly computationally powerful as faster microprocessors are installed. This allows many types of applications and function- ality to be implemented. Much of the security risk has to do with confirming the device as an authentic device. This risk can be mitigated using a technology known as Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs). PUFs use the intrinsic differences in hardware behavior to produce a random function that is unique to that hardware instance. When combined with existing cryptographic techniques, these PUFs enable many different types of applications, such as read once keys, secure communications, and secure smart grids.