Consensus Draft Encryption Key Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data encryption systems lack robust security measures, as they often rely on a single computing device to encrypt and decrypt data, which can be vulnerable to breaches.
Innovation Solution
A consensus draft process is employed, where an encryption key is distributed across multiple trusted computing devices, requiring participation from all devices for encryption and decryption, using a custom algorithm that generates a data array with entries randomly selected and transferred among participants, ensuring no single device has control over the entire key.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single computing device is used to encrypt and decrypt data, then the system is simpler to operate, but the security of sensitive data is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption key is segmented into multiple key shares that are distributed across multiple computing devices. Each device holds only a portion of the key, and all devices must collaborate to perform encryption or decryption operations. This segmentation ensures that no single device can access the complete key, thereby enhancing security while maintaining operational simplicity through automated coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the computational capabilities of multiple trusted computing devices to perform encryption and decryption operations. The devices work together in a coordinated manner, combining their respective key shares to execute cryptographic functions. This merging allows the system to achieve high security through distributed trust while presenting a unified interface to users.
2Reliability
If an encryption key is distributed across multiple computing devices, then data security is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a coordinator device that acts as an intermediary to manage the distributed key shares and coordinate encryption/decryption operations among multiple devices. The coordinator handles key distribution, monitors device participation, and aggregates results, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual devices while maintaining the security benefits of key distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Each computing device in the distributed system is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing key storage, cryptographic operations, and communication tasks. This universality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for specialized hardware for each function, as general-purpose trusted computing devices can fulfill multiple roles in the encryption ecosystem.
3Reliability
If multiple trusted computing devices participate in encryption and decryption, then unauthorized access is prevented, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-distributing key shares to multiple computing devices before actual encryption or decryption operations are needed. This advance preparation ensures that when data needs to be encrypted or decrypted, all necessary key components are already in place and ready for immediate use, reducing the time penalty associated with coordinating multiple devices during critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous readiness of encryption capabilities by keeping key shares actively stored and accessible across multiple devices. Rather than assembling key components only when needed, the system sustains a state of preparedness where all devices remain engaged and ready to participate in cryptographic operations, minimizing delays while maintaining security through continuous multi-device involvement.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for electronic data encryption and decryption using a consensus draft process. In particular, the system may use a custom encryption algorithm that generates an array with a number of entries that is dependent on the number of computing devices that participate in the encryption process. The encryption algorithm may cause a first computing device to open and read the array, randomly select and remove an entry, and pass on the remaining entries to a second computing device. The second computing device may then open and read the array, randomly select and remove an entry, then pass the remaining entries to a third computing device. The process may be executed in a reiterative manner until the entire array is distributed among the participating computing devices. In this way, encryption of data may be performed without revealing shared information among the participating computing devices.