Towards a Hardware-based Solution for Mitigating USB Security Threats in Enterprise Environments

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of current USB security threats and evaluates the effectiveness and limitations of existing defensive measures. It proposes an innovative solution to bolster enterprise environment security while maintaining USB port functionality. The key component is a smart hub acting as an intermediary between host devices and USB peripherals. This hub enables administrators to selectively authorise usage permissions, ensuring that any connected device to the hub is legitimate. This solution mitigates the vulnerabilities of USB devices, frequently abused for spreading malware and unauthorised data access. The smart hub reduces USB-based attack risks and insider threats by employing effective authentication mechanisms and a strong whitelist management system. This research follows a structured approach, starting with a comprehensive literature review and a detailed evaluation of current security practices, to identify the vulnerabilities the smart hub is intended to address. We proposed the smart hub to integrate seamlessly into organisations, balancing robust security protocols and operational effectiveness. This research contributes significant knowledge to cyber security by offering a solution that allows organisations to securely use USB connections while protecting vital data and systems.