CDN Content Encryption via Web Server Key Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content delivery networks (CDNs) are vulnerable to malicious access, allowing unauthorized systems to retrieve and analyze media files, potentially reconstructing user data without detection, due to the distributed nature and third-party management of CDN servers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a secure content distribution architecture that uses cryptographic keys to encrypt content objects within the CDN, where web servers generate encryption keys and provide decryption keys to end-user devices over a secure connection, ensuring only authorized devices can access and render encrypted content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If content objects are cached in a distributed CDN for fast delivery, then content delivery speed is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by encrypting content objects with cryptographic keys before they are cached in the CDN. This pre-encryption prevents malicious systems from accessing and analyzing the content even though it is stored in the distributed CDN network, thus counteracting the security vulnerability before it can be exploited.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cryptographic keys as an intermediary layer between the content and the CDN storage system. These keys act as a mediator that controls access to the encrypted content objects, allowing the CDN to store and deliver content efficiently while maintaining security through the key-based access control mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If content objects are stored in third-party managed CDN servers, then distribution capability is improved, but control over content security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cryptographic keys as an intermediary that enables the content provider to maintain control over content security even when content is stored on third-party CDN servers. The key management mechanism allows the provider to control who can decrypt and access the content, preserving security control despite the distributed third-party storage architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the content delivery system into separate functional components: the CDN handles distribution and caching, while the key management system handles security control. This segmentation allows the content provider to leverage the CDN's distribution capabilities while maintaining independent control over content security through separate key management.
3Ease of operation
If decryption keys are provided to end-user devices, then content accessibility is improved, but risk of key interception deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by establishing secure communication channels (such as HTTPS) for transmitting decryption keys to end-user devices. This pre-established security measure prevents key interception during transmission, allowing keys to be provided to users for content accessibility while protecting against the harm of key interception through advance security precautions.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments implement a secure content distribution architecture involving a content delivery network (CDN). A web server system can encrypt a content file and store the encrypted content file in an origin data center. The web server system can store a decryption key for decrypting the content file. The CDN can fetch the encrypted content file after the content file is first requested by the CDN from the origin cache system. When a client device requests access to a website supported by the web server system, the web server system can provide a blueprint of a page of the website, a link to the content file in the CDN, and the decryption key for decrypting the content file. The client device can then request the encrypted content file from the CDN and utilize the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted content file.