Ahead-of-Time Electronic Content Delivery with Time-Based Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for secure data transmission face challenges in ensuring that information is accessible only to authorized users at a predetermined time without compromising security by transmitting decryption keys to multiple recipients.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system that embeds a file access policy specifying a time period into electronic content, encrypts it, and transmits it ahead of time, using a client processor to decrypt and authenticate based on a time server's timestamp, ensuring access only within the specified period and utilizing a public-private key mechanism for authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If encryption keys are transmitted to multiple recipients for secure data delivery, then information can be securely shared with authorized users, but security is compromised due to key distribution risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by encrypting data with multiple recipient keys in advance before transmission. The encryption process pre-applies all necessary cryptographic transformations, so that when the encrypted data is transmitted, no additional decryption keys need to be shared with recipients. This resolves the contradiction by enabling secure multi-recipient sharing without the security risks of key distribution.
2Productivity
If data is transmitted ahead-of-time to recipients, then information delivery efficiency is improved, but access control at predetermined times becomes more difficult to enforce
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the time parameter of data access by embedding expiration timestamps and access window definitions directly into the encrypted data structure. This allows ahead-of-time transmission while maintaining precise control over when recipients can access the information, as the system automatically enforces time-based access policies without requiring complex operational controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that verifies recipient credentials and validates access timing before allowing decryption. This intermediary layer enables efficient ahead-of-time delivery while maintaining ease of access control, as the authentication system automatically handles time validation and authorization without requiring manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If decryption keys are distributed to multiple authorized users, then information accessibility is improved, but the complexity of key management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the key management complexity from the transmission and delivery process by performing all encryption operations centrally before distribution. Individual recipient keys are embedded into the encrypted data structure during the encryption phase, eliminating the need for ongoing key distribution and management infrastructure. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining multi-user accessibility while removing key management complexity from the operational system.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented system, method and a computer program product for ahead of time delivery of electronic content, have been provided. A file policy specifying a time period in which the electronic content is to be rendered accessible to a subscriber, is created. The electronic content is embedded with the file access policy, and subsequently encrypted. The encrypted electronic content is transmitted ahead-of-time to a network enabled device accessible to the subscriber. The encrypted electronic content is decrypted subsequent to the authentication of the subscriber. The electronic content is made accessible via the network enabled device only in the event that the current time stamp received from a time server is within the time period specified by the file access policy.