Cellular Phone Security Pack with External Cryptographic Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile phone security solutions are inadequate for organizations with high security requirements, as they rely on software and are vulnerable to various attack vectors, including remote infections and lack strong encryption for sensitive data.
Innovation Solution
A modified smartphone system with a security pack that disables or removes wireless communication capabilities and integrates a cryptographic module to encrypt and decrypt data, using a cellular modem for secure communication, ensuring that sensitive data is kept within secure sections of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software-based security applications are used in mobile phones, then security features are provided, but the system remains vulnerable to remote infections and malicious code
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate devices: a modified mobile phone that handles only local processing and display, and an external security pack containing the cellular modem and cryptographic functions. This segmentation isolates the vulnerable software components from the secure communication functions, preventing remote infections from compromising security operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular modem and cryptographic security functions are extracted from the mobile phone and placed in an external security pack. This removes the attack surface of the phone's software while preserving the essential security functions in a hardened external device that is resistant to remote exploitation.
2Reliability
If the cellular modem is removed or disabled from the mobile phone, then security is improved, but wireless communication capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
An external security pack serves as an intermediary device that bridges the mobile phone and the cellular network. The security pack contains the cellular modem and handles all wireless communication, while the modified phone provides user interface and local processing. This intermediary approach restores communication capability while maintaining security isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The modified mobile phone is placed inside a protective case that houses the external security pack. The security pack nestles around the phone, providing both physical protection and secure communication functions through its integrated cellular modem, effectively combining both devices into a unified secure system.
3Reliability
If encryption is applied to all cellular data exchange, then security of sensitive information is enhanced, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Encryption and decryption operations are performed in advance by dedicated cryptographic hardware in the security pack, before data enters or leaves the modified mobile phone. This preliminary cryptographic processing eliminates the need for software-based encryption overhead on the phone itself, reducing processing burden while maintaining strong security.
Data Source
AI summary
A secure cellular communication system comprises a modified smartphone mated with a security pack. A Cryptographic module within the security pack encrypts all cellular outgoing data and decrypts cellular incoming data. The modified smartphone is modified to rout all cellular outgoing data and incoming data via the Cryptographic module within the security pack. The cellular MODEM may reside within the security pack while the phone's cellular MODEM is disabled, or the phone's cellular MODEM may be used.