Certificate Authority Server Isolation via Key Format Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic authentication solutions are vulnerable to malicious attacks, complex, and costly, requiring stringent physical and virtual security measures due to their constant internet connection and reliance on certificate authority servers.
Innovation Solution
Decoupling the signing certificate server from the network by converting electronically formatted public keys to non-electronic formats for secure, manual or automated processing, ensuring data integrity and reducing security costs through isolation and physical protection of the certificate authority server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the certificate authority server is connected to the network for electronic authentication processing, then authentication efficiency and service availability are improved, but the server becomes vulnerable to malicious attacks and requires stringent physical and virtual security measures
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the certificate authority functionality into two separate components: an offline signing server that generates digital signatures in a secure air-gapped environment, and an online authentication server that handles authentication requests over the network. This segmentation allows the signing server to remain isolated from network attacks while the authentication server provides continuous service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
A secure key transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the offline signing server and the online authentication server. The private key is transferred through a secure channel (such as a sealed tube or secure courier) to the signing server, enabling it to perform cryptographic operations without being connected to the network. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain both security isolation and operational capability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the certificate authority server maintains constant internet connection for service availability, then authentication service continuity is improved, but the complexity and cost of physical and virtual security measures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates authentication functions into offline signature generation and online verification. The offline signing server can be periodically updated with new keys through secure physical transfer, while the online authentication server maintains continuous service by verifying signatures against these keys. This segmentation reduces the need for complex continuous security monitoring of the signing server.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses public key cryptography where the public key (a copy of the private key's mathematical equivalent) is distributed to the authentication server and stored in a database. This allows the online authentication server to verify signatures without needing access to the private key or the offline signing server, enabling service continuity even when the signing server is disconnected.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronic authentication solutions process data packets on network and memory storage devices, then authentication functionality is improved, but the solutions become subject to malicious attacks and require tight security
Solution Approach 1:
The private key is extracted from the networked environment and placed in an offline air-gapped signing server. This extraction removes the most critical security asset from the network, eliminating the vulnerability to network-based attacks while preserving the ability to perform authentication functions through secure key transfer and signature verification.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention includes a solution to enable a digital authentication solution comprising a network. Next, a first device is coupled to the network. The first device may include an authentication key generator that is able to generate both public and private keys in electronic formats. Next, the first device is coupled to a certificate authority gateway. The certificate authority gateway includes devices capable of converting the electronically formatted public key to a non-electronic format, and vice versa. Next, the certificate authority gateway is coupled to a certificate authority server. The certificate authority server includes devices capable of converting the electronically formatted public key to a non-electronic format, and vice versa. The certificate authority server is also contained in a secure area such as a locked room, or a safe. The secure area includes features that allow the non-electronically formatted public key to be passed across the boundary of the secure area. Finally, a second device is coupled to the network.