Beam Attenuating Materials for Secure Wireless Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The security of wireless transactions with secure devices, such as ATMs and transaction kiosks, is compromised due to the risk of signal interception or spoofing, allowing unauthorized access to private financial information.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses beam attenuating materials to shape the wireless communication beam profile, comparing it to a stored profile using machine learning models to authenticate users and grant access only when the profile matches beyond a predetermined threshold, thereby reducing the effective range of the signal and preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is enabled for customer transactions, then convenience and ease of operation are improved, but security and protection against signal interception deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A beam attenuating material is introduced as an intermediary between the wireless communication signal and the surrounding environment. This material selectively attenuates the beam profile of legitimate signals while blocking spoofed signals, thereby maintaining wireless convenience while protecting against interception and spoofing attacks
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects and verifies the beam profile characteristics of wireless signals, analogous to verifying color or optical properties. By comparing the received beam profile against expected characteristics, the system can distinguish legitimate signals from intercepted or spoofed ones, maintaining security while enabling wireless operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If beam attenuating materials are used to shape the wireless beam profile, then security against spoofing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam attenuating material performs its security function autonomously based on the physical properties of the wireless signal itself. The material automatically attenuates beams based on their profile characteristics without requiring active control systems, power consumption, or complex processing, thereby providing spoofing protection while minimizing added complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the security of wireless transactions by ensuring that only authorized users with the correct beam profile can access the secure device, thereby protecting sensitive financial information from interception or spoofing.
Implementation Method 1
The wireless communication may be attenuated by the one or more beam attenuating materials and may form a first attenuated beam profile
Data Source
AI summary
A system may receive first level authentication data from a first user, authorize first level access to a secure device, and transmit a push notification including a second factor authentication key to a first user device responsive to first factor authentication data matching stored authentication data for the first user. The system may receive a wireless communication from the first user device attenuated by one or more beam attenuating materials to form a first attenuated beam profile. In response to a match of the first attenuated beam profile to a stored beam profile beyond a predetermined threshold, the system may associate the second factor authentication key as an authorized login credential for the first user. The system may receive the second factor authentication key from the first user and authorize the second factor authentication data to grant the first user second level access to the secure device.