Cloud HSM Location Verification for Data Residency Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HSM deployment and configuration processes are laborious and insecure, particularly in cloud environments, and lack mechanisms to verify data residency compliance with geographical restrictions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a location tracker, such as a GNSS module, into the HSM to ensure secure and automated configuration and verify that the HSM is located within authorized geographical boundaries before processing requests, using trusted devices for secure element content programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration process is used for HSM setup, then security control is maintained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The HSM is pre-configured with location tracking capabilities and data residency verification functions during manufacturing. The system automatically performs location verification and compliance checks without requiring manual configuration, thereby reducing setup time while maintaining security through automated preliminary actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The HSM autonomously performs location verification against authorized geographical boundaries using embedded location trackers. The system self-verifies compliance with data residency requirements and automatically processes requests based on location validation, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining security controls.
2Reliability
If location verification mechanism is added to HSM, then data residency compliance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The HSM integrates location tracking, compliance verification, and request processing functions into a single unified system. The location tracker serves multiple purposes: determining HSM location, verifying data residency compliance, and controlling request processing, thereby adding compliance capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary location verification module is introduced between the location tracker and the request processing unit. This intermediary layer handles compliance checks and coordinates location data with authorization information, providing data residency verification while maintaining modular architecture that limits complexity propagation.
3Productivity
If automated configuration is implemented, then productivity is improved, but security risks from untrusted devices increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where location verification results and compliance checks are continuously monitored and fed back to control request processing decisions. This feedback loop ensures that automated operations only proceed when security conditions are met, maintaining security while enabling automated configuration for improved productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Security verification actions are performed in advance before automated configuration processes begin. The system pre-validates device trustworthiness and authorization status, ensuring that only secure and authorized devices can initiate automated configuration, thereby eliminating security risks while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provides is a system and method supportive of data residency requirements that includes a Hardware Security Module (HSM) hosted on a cloud environment and a location tracker embedded within or directly connected to the HSM to provide an HSM location, the HSM including one or more processors and memory including computer instructions causing the one or more processors to perform certain operations. The operations can include receiving a request for access to information over a network and obtaining authorized location information where the HSM is authorized to process the request from a source of the request for access, comparing the HSM location with the authorized location information from the source, processing the request for access if the HSM location is within the authorized location information and rejecting the request if the HSM location is not within the authorized location information. Other embodiments disclosed.