BIOS Password Manager for Mixed-Policy Component Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The BIOS of a computer, comprising portions from various manufacturers with differing security controls and password policies, poses challenges for users to manage and remember multiple passwords, especially during BIOS updates.
Innovation Solution
A BIOS-level password manager generates and synchronizes passwords for different components using a primary password, applying character strings based on specific policies, and provides character strings for access, ensuring security and compliance with password policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple passwords are used for different BIOS components from various manufacturers, then security control and compliance with different password policies are improved, but user memory burden and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the password management function into two parts: a master password set by the user and component-specific passwords generated automatically. The BIOS password manager divides the task of securing multiple components into individual password generation instances, each derived from the master password through unique character string concatenation. This segmentation allows the user to manage only one password while the system handles the rest, resolving the contradiction between security coverage and user burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The BIOS password manager acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple BIOS components. Instead of requiring direct interaction with each component's password requirements, the password manager mediates by automatically generating and managing component-specific passwords based on the master password and stored character strings. This intermediary function shields the user from the complexity of multiple password policies while maintaining security compliance across all components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple passwords are used for different BIOS components, then compliance with varying password policies is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The BIOS password manager implements universality by providing a single password management mechanism that serves multiple BIOS components from different manufacturers. The system stores multiple character strings in a data structure and uses a universal generation process that concatenates the master password with appropriate character strings to satisfy diverse password policies. This multi-functional approach allows one password manager to handle various component requirements without requiring separate security subsystems for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters dynamically by selecting different character strings from storage based on which BIOS component requires access. When a user needs to access a specific component, the password manager retrieves the appropriate character string associated with that component and concatenates it with the master password. This parameter change approach allows the same core mechanism to adapt to different password policies without increasing fundamental system complexity.
3Reliability
If passwords are updated manually for each BIOS component, then security control is maintained, but time consumption and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing character strings in the BIOS data structure during manufacturing or initial setup. These character strings are prepared in advance and associated with specific BIOS components. When password updates are needed, the system does not need to create new security credentials from scratch but simply retrieves the pre-stored character strings and combines them with the user's master password. This preliminary preparation dramatically speeds up password updates while maintaining security control.
Solution Approach 2:
The BIOS password manager implements self-service by automatically generating and updating component-specific passwords without requiring manual user intervention for each component. When the user changes their master password, the system automatically regenerates all component-specific passwords using the stored character strings. This self-service capability eliminates the time-consuming manual update process while ensuring security control is maintained across all BIOS components.
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples associated with password updates are described. One example method includes receiving a request to modify an administrator password in a basic input/output system (BIOS). The administrator password may be updated. A first password tied to the administrator password may be identified. A first updated password is generated by concatenating a character string to the administrator password. The character string may be generated based on a password policy for the first password. The first password may then be updated to the first updated password.