Certificate Management System for Secure Device Identity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing device identity and security in open Internet environments are insecure due to the risk of duplicate serial numbers, ease of alteration by hackers, and lack of bidirectional verification, leading to potential data leakage and remote management challenges.
Innovation Solution
A certificate management system and method that involves an electronic device and a server, where the server signs a device certificate through an intermediate certificate device, transmitting it along with its Internet address to the device for secure identity verification and management, including key generation, updating, and revocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If serial numbers with passwords are used to identify devices, then device identification is simple, but security is compromised due to duplicate serial numbers and ease of alteration by hackers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a certificate authority (CA) as an intermediary that issues digital certificates to devices. These certificates serve as trusted intermediaries that verify device identity without requiring direct trust between devices. The CA-signed certificates replace the insecure serial number system while maintaining simple identification through certificate-based authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical serial number system with a cryptographic digital certificate system. Instead of relying on physical or manually assigned serial numbers that can be duplicated or altered, the system uses mathematically secure public key infrastructure (PKI) to generate unique, tamper-proof digital identities for each device.
2Ease of operation
If the same password is used for all devices, then remote management is simplified, but security is weakened as hackers can easily access any device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by giving each device its own unique digital certificate instead of using a universal password. Each certificate contains device-specific cryptographic keys that provide individualized security credentials. This allows the system to maintain uniform management procedures while ensuring each device has unique security properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed symmetric keys are used for data encryption, then encryption implementation is simple, but security is compromised as hackers can crack keys through brute force algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by replacing symmetric key encryption with asymmetric public key cryptography. Each device has a key pair consisting of a public key and a private key. The public key can be freely shared for encryption, while the private key remains secret for decryption. This eliminates the need to securely distribute and manage symmetric keys while providing stronger security against brute force attacks.
4Ease of operation
If serial numbers are used in open Internet environments, then device assignment is straightforward, but duplicate serial numbers occur leading to identity confirmation failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-generating unique digital certificate pairs for devices during manufacturing or initial setup, before the devices are deployed to the network. The certificate authority signs these certificates in advance, ensuring uniqueness and validity before the devices need to authenticate. This prevents duplicate identity issues that occur with serial numbers assigned after deployment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A certificate management system (100) includes an electronic device (10) and a server (20). The electronic device (10) is configured to transmit a certificate application request. The server (20) is configured to sign a device certificate corresponding to the electronic device (10) through an intermediate certificate device (22) after receiving the certificate application request, and transmit the device certificate and the Internet address of the server (20) to the electronic device (10). The electronic device (10) stores the device certificate and the Internet address of the server (20) to complete the certificate issuance operation.