Compartmentalized Encryption for Selective Data Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data encryption systems lack the capability to encrypt specific portions of a data file, leading to inadequate protection of sensitive information and potential unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
The Application-Independent Compartmentalized Encryption (A-ICE) system, which allows for single or multiple levels of encryption on existing systems by using an out-of-band encryption component to manage encryption keys marked with privilege categories, enabling selective encryption and decryption of data file portions based on user access rights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If entire data file is encrypted, then security is improved, but accessibility and usability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data file into multiple compartments or sections, each with its own encryption key and access controls. This allows selective encryption of only sensitive portions rather than the entire file, improving accessibility while maintaining security for critical data segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different encryption levels and access permissions are applied to different portions of the data file based on their sensitivity. Critical sections receive strong encryption while non-sensitive areas remain easily accessible, creating localized security measures that balance protection and usability.
2Ease of operation
If selective portion encryption is implemented, then accessibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary encryption management system that handles key distribution, compartment identification, and access control logic. This mediator layer simplifies the user interface while managing the underlying complexity of selective encryption automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption system is designed to work with multiple file types and applications through a universal interface. The same compartmentalized encryption framework can encrypt different portions of various data formats without requiring application-specific customization, reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If application-independent encryption is used, then versatility is improved, but integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the encryption functionality into a separate, standalone component that can be independently deployed and integrated. This modular encryption module can be added to existing applications without requiring deep integration or modification of the core application logic, reducing integration complexity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of encrypting a data file includes: opening the data file; selecting, via a first user interface, a portion of the data file; encrypting, via an encryption component, the selected portion of the data file as one of a first level of encryption associated with a first authorized user and a second level of encryption associated with a second authorized user so as to create an encrypted data file; and saving the encrypted data file. The encryption component includes an out-of-band encryption key component having stored therein, a first encryption key associated with the first level of encryption and a second encryption key associated with the second level of encryption.