Cluster-Wide Root Secret Key for Secure Workload Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In distributed node clusters, node-specific secret keys make scaling and workload migration unworkable, as they are not shared or synchronized across nodes, leading to inefficiencies in accessing encrypted data.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a cluster-wide root secret (CWRS) key generated by a leader node, encrypted using a public key and/or bootstrap key, and distributed securely to non-leader nodes for encryption and decryption of secret data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If node-specific secret keys are used for encryption and decryption, then each node can securely protect its own data, but scaling and workload migration become unworkable due to lack of key sharing and synchronization across nodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidworkload migration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a cluster-wide root secret key that serves multiple nodes simultaneously, allowing the same key to be used across different nodes for encryption and decryption operations. This universal key enables workloads to migrate between nodes while maintaining access to encrypted data, resolving the contradiction between node-specific security and workload mobility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The key management system is segmented into hierarchical levels: cluster-wide root secret keys for shared access and node-specific derived keys for individual security. This segmentation allows nodes to have both shared access through the root key and individual security through derived keys, enabling both scalability and data protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If node-specific secret keys are used, then individual node security is maintained, but scaling the cluster becomes untenable due to key management complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual node securityVSAvoidkey management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to key management, organizing keys in levels from cluster-wide root secret keys at the top to node-specific derived keys below. This hierarchical structure simplifies key management by providing a clear organization and derivation process, making cluster scaling manageable while maintaining individual node security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary key derivation and distribution through a bootstrap process before nodes join the cluster. Root secret keys are pre-established at the cluster level, and nodes receive their derived keys in advance through secure bootstrap key exchange, eliminating the need for complex real-time key management during cluster operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a common secret key is shared across all nodes, then workload migration becomes seamless, but security is compromised if the key is not properly protected during distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkload migration capabilityVSAvoidkey distribution security risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary key derivation process where the common root secret key is never directly transmitted between nodes. Instead, each node derives its own secure key instance from the root key through a cryptographic derivation process, acting as an intermediary that protects the root key while enabling shared access. The bootstrap key serves as another intermediary layer in the secure key exchange process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If node-specific secret keys are used, then data encryption is secure, but accessing encrypted data from different nodes becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata encryption securityVSAvoiddata access efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cluster-wide root secret key enables a single encryption key to serve multiple nodes, allowing any node in the cluster to decrypt data encrypted by any other node. This universal access capability eliminates the inefficiency of node-specific keys while maintaining security through proper key derivation and protection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260067066A1Cluster-wide root secret key for distributed node clusters

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for implementing a cluster-wide root secret (“CWRS”) key for distributed node clusters. In a multi-node cluster, a leader node has a leader node security system that generates the CWRS key, which is a common secret key for all workloads (e.g., containers or VMs) in the multi-node cluster. The leader node security system encrypts the generated CWRS key using a public key and/or a bootstrap key received from a non-leader node that requests the CWRS key. In examples, the leader node security system signs the encrypted CWRS key using its private key for subsequent verification, by the requesting non-leader node, that the CWRS key was generated by the leader node security system. The CWRS thus encrypted can be securely sent to the requesting non-leader node for subsequent encryption or decryption of secret data by the security system of the non-leader node.