Cover Detection Circuitry Cryptographic Challenge Policy Enforcement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices face significant security risks when an attacker gains physical access to their internal components, as existing security measures are inadequate in distinguishing between authorized and unauthorized access, leading to potential data compromise and system vulnerabilities during maintenance or repair.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating cover detection circuitry that issues a cryptographic challenge to authorized users or delegates, allowing authorized access while implementing a policy that includes logging, data deletion, or system shutdown to prevent unauthorized access, and enabling remote administration for secure logging and policy enforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cover detection circuitry is implemented to detect opening events, then security monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover detection circuitry is integrated into the computing device itself, allowing it to autonomously detect cover opening events and trigger appropriate policies without requiring external monitoring systems. The device self-monitors its own physical state and enforces security policies based on detected events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical security mechanisms with an electronic/digital detection and response system. Instead of physical locks or mechanical alarms, the system uses cover detection circuitry to sense opening events and triggers software-based policies including logging, data deletion, or system shutdown through electronic control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If strict security policies are enforced upon cover opening detection, then protection against unauthorized access is improved, but legitimate maintenance operations are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes security policies in advance that define appropriate responses to cover opening events. These policies are configured beforehand to distinguish between unauthorized access scenarios and legitimate maintenance operations, allowing the device to automatically apply the correct response without interfering with authorized activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The security response is adjusted based on detected parameters such as the identity of the person opening the cover, the duration of opening, and contextual information. By monitoring these parameters, the system can differentiate between brief openings for maintenance and prolonged openings indicating potential unauthorized access, applying appropriate responses accordingly.
3Measurement precision
If cryptographic challenges are implemented to verify authorized users, then authentication accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements cryptographic challenge-response authentication only when cover opening events are detected, rather than continuously verifying all users. This partial application of cryptographic verification reduces overall processing time while maintaining high authentication accuracy for the critical moment when security is most vulnerable.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Instructions may be provided to cause a computing device to receive authorisation data, the authorisation data indicating a policy; output a cryptographic challenge, the cryptographic challenge associated with the computing device and the policy; receive a response to the cryptographic challenge; receive an indication that a hardware change has occurred or a cover of the computing'device has been opened; and in response to a determination, based on the received response, that the cryptographic challenge is passed, react to the indication according to the policy.