Blockchain-Based Access Control for Networked Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networked devices face security challenges due to reliance on centralized trust models and trusted third parties, which can lead to vulnerabilities and increased costs, especially in low-value IoT devices, making them susceptible to hacking and attacks like DDoS.
Innovation Solution
Implementing blockchain technology to enable secure authentication and access control for networked devices, allowing them to generate their own identities and establish relationships without relying on trusted third parties, using public/private key pairs and smart contracts to manage access levels and secure transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized trust models and trusted third parties are used for networked device security, then authentication and access control can be established, but security vulnerabilities and increased costs occur, especially in low-value IoT devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling networked devices to autonomously generate their own cryptographic identities (public/private key pairs) and establish security relationships without requiring centralized authentication servers or trusted third parties. Each device independently manages its own security credentials, eliminating the need for external security infrastructure while maintaining robust authentication and access control capabilities.
2Reliability
If centralized trust models are used for networked device security, then authentication can be established, but devices become susceptible to hacking and DDoS attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces blockchain technology as a decentralized intermediary that enables secure authentication without centralized trust models. The blockchain ledger serves as a neutral, distributed mediator that records and verifies device identities and access permissions, preventing single points of failure and making the system resistant to hacking and DDoS attacks while maintaining robust authentication capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If trusted third parties are used for access control management, then access levels can be managed, but costs increase and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a standardized blockchain-based access control framework that can be universally applied across diverse networked devices including low-value IoT devices. The system uses standardized cryptographic protocols and blockchain smart contracts that work consistently across different device types and networks, enabling scalable deployment without requiring device-specific security infrastructure or increasing operational costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A networked device includes a network input/output and an access control list with a plurality of different available levels of access for entities communicating with the networked device through the network input/output. An access manager is configured to update the access control list from a blockchain via communication with the blockchain through the network input/output.