Cryptography Administration System with Key Management and Auditing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryptographic systems require technical knowledge for users to perform hashing, encryption, and decryption operations, and are challenging for non-technical users to manage access and audit cryptographic activities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cryptography administration system with intuitive user interfaces allows users to perform secure and auditable cryptographic operations without needing to understand or access cryptographic keys or algorithms, using channels and licenses to manage access and log activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current cryptographic systems are used, then cryptographic operations can be performed, but users require technical knowledge and access to keys/algorithms making the system complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a key management system as an intermediary between users and cryptographic operations. This system automatically manages cryptographic keys and algorithms, allowing users to perform encryption/decryption without needing to understand or access the underlying cryptographic machinery. The key management system handles key generation, storage, and distribution automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically generating, storing, and managing cryptographic keys without user intervention. The key management system performs self-service functions such as automatic key rotation, secure storage, and distribution to authorized users, eliminating the need for users to manually handle cryptographic materials.
2Reliability
If cryptographic keys are shared to enable decryption operations, then access control is achieved, but human mistakes occur especially across multiple systems
Solution Approach 1:
The key management system serves as a centralized intermediary that controls all key distribution and access. Instead of users manually sharing keys across multiple systems, the system automatically distributes encrypted data to authorized users through secure channels, eliminating human error in key sharing while maintaining reliable access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical key sharing processes with automated electronic key distribution systems. Cryptographic operations are performed through programmed interfaces that automatically handle key management, replacing human-mediated key exchange with automated mechanical/electronic processes that are more reliable and consistent.
3Productivity
If cryptographic operations are performed manually, then operations can be executed, but auditing and reviewing operations is difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms through automatic logging and auditing of all cryptographic operations. Every encryption, decryption, and key access event is recorded with metadata about the user, timestamp, and operation details. This feedback loop enables automatic auditing without adding complexity to the core cryptographic operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The auditing system performs self-service by automatically generating, storing, and managing audit logs without requiring manual intervention. The system self-monitors its own operations and creates comprehensive audit trails that track all cryptographic activities, making auditing simple and automated rather than complex and manual.
Data Source
AI summary
A cryptography administration system facilitates secure, user-friendly and auditable cryptography. The system can generate an encrypted data value from raw data values with a user-selected cryptography algorithm. The encrypted data value can comprise a pointer configured to access a location in storage comprising a cryptography key for decrypting the encrypted data value. The system can generate a license comprising one or more permissions of a user to decrypt the encrypted data value. The system can store the license in the location in storage accessible by the pointer of the encrypted data value.