Content Key Isolation for Secure DRM Re-Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital rights management (DRM) systems struggle to adapt to evolving content security standards and requirements, necessitating frequent re-engineering to manage content keys and rights enforcement, while failing to handle local re-encoding, transcoding, sending, and streaming of secured content effectively.
Innovation Solution
Decoupling content key management from DRM systems by implementing a device security module, such as a System on a Chip (SoC) or whitebox cryptographic module, which manages content keys independently and enforces usage conditions, allowing DRM systems to focus on network communications and license management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DRM systems manage both content key encryption and local re-encoding/transcoding/sending/storing operations, then content security coverage is improved, but system complexity and vulnerability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the DRM system into two independent components: a device security module that handles content key management and encryption operations, and a DRM system that manages licensed content access and re-encoding/transcoding/sending/storing operations. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive security coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the content key management functionality from the DRM system and places it in a separate device security module. This extraction isolates the critical security functions (key storage, key usage condition enforcement) from the more complex content management operations, reducing the attack surface and vulnerability of the overall system while maintaining security coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If DRM systems are re-engineered to keep pace with evolving security standards and protocols, then content security standards compliance is improved, but system stability and maintenance burden worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security-critical key management operations from the DRM system into a separate device security module. This allows the DRM system to evolve and adapt to new content management requirements without affecting the stability of the core security functions. The device security module maintains stable, proven security mechanisms while the DRM system can be updated independently.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the system into independent security module and DRM system components, the patent enables differential evolution: the device security module can maintain stable, certified security implementations while the DRM system adapts to evolving business rules and content management protocols without requiring full system re-engineering.
3Ease of operation
If content keys are stored in accessible memory for DRM operations, then content access functionality is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts content keys from general-purpose memory and stores them in a restricted memory region that is physically or logically isolated and accessible only by the device security module. This extraction eliminates the security vulnerability of keys being exposed to the broader system while maintaining functionality through secure access pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the device security module as an intermediary between the restricted memory (where keys are stored) and the DRM system (which needs to use the keys). This intermediary enforces strict access control, allowing the DRM system to access keys only under authorized conditions while preventing unauthorized access, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and security.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are for content security may comprise transmitting a request for authorization to access secured content. A content key for the secured content may be received and stored to a restricted region of a memory. A device security module may have access to the restricted region and may decrypt, based on satisfaction of a use condition and using the content key, the secured content. An encryption key associated with a secure media system authorized to access the secured content may be received. The device security module may encrypt, using the encryption key, the secured content and route the secured content to the secure media system.