Composite Cipher Single File Multi-Reader Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex document environments with frequent updates and multiple participants face errors and inefficiencies due to the need for frequent updates of multiple documents, each with different visibility requirements, leading to late updates and project inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a composite cipher that encrypts a single master file into a ciphertext, allowing multiple readers to decrypt and access only their authorized information using different decryption keys, thereby maintaining a single updated version of the document and managing diverse access permissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate documents are created for different readers with different visibility requirements, then each reader can access only their authorized information, but the complexity of managing and updating multiple document versions increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate documents into a single composite ciphertext that contains all authorized information for all readers. Instead of maintaining separate encrypted files for each reader, the system combines all plaintexts into one ciphertext C that can be decrypted by any reader with their specific key Ki to obtain only their authorized plaintext Pi. This eliminates version management complexity while maintaining access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite ciphertext C serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a secure container for all authorized information, provides individualized decryption for each reader, and eliminates the need for separate document management. A single ciphertext replacement operation can update information for all readers at once, making the system universally applicable to multi-reader scenarios.
2Productivity
If a single master document is updated frequently, then project information remains current, but distributing and updating multiple separate document versions to all participants becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines all document versions and updates into a single composite ciphertext C. When the master document is updated, only one new ciphertext needs to be distributed to all participants instead of multiple separate documents. This single distribution operation replaces numerous individual update operations, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining current information for all readers.
3Reliability
If separate encrypted files are sent to each reader, then each reader receives only their authorized information, but the quantity of files to be managed and transmitted increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate encrypted files into one composite ciphertext C that replaces all individual files. Instead of transmitting and storing separate encrypted files for each reader, the system uses a single ciphertext that contains all authorized information. The security is maintained through individual decryption keys Ki that each reader uses to extract only their authorized plaintext Pi from the composite ciphertext.
4Reliability
If multiple document versions are maintained for different reader groups, then each group sees appropriate information, but synchronization and version control become difficult and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges all version control requirements into a single composite ciphertext structure. When updates are needed, the master plaintext is updated and re-encrypted into a new composite ciphertext C that replaces all previous versions. This eliminates synchronization issues because all readers receive the same updated ciphertext simultaneously, and their individual decryption keys ensure they see only their authorized information from the current version.
Data Source
AI summary
Using composite cipher technology a single ciphertext C will decrypt to plaintext Pi using key Ki, and to plaintext Pj≠Pi using key Kj≠Ki, thereby a single file C will carry any number of distinct messages so that each key holder will see in C the message intended for them. Applicable for complex project management where frequent changes and large number of people are involved. Also in email systems where a single email will deliver a shared message plus individual messages to selected readers.