Cryptographic Services Engine for Distributed Certificate Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryptographic security systems face bottlenecks and increased costs due to sub-optimal solutions and non-standard processes, particularly in managing and maintaining encryption infrastructure across a widely distributed enterprise, which affects security and services availability.
Innovation Solution
A cryptographic services engine that includes a computer processor, network interface, and memory for executing cryptographic services, with features such as certificate lifecycle tracking, automated alerts, integration with multiple certificate authorities, and strict user authentication, along with support for separation of duties and external key management solutions, to streamline certificate request and issuance processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access to cryptographic infrastructure is limited to a small group within a business, then security is improved, but bottlenecks and increased costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments cryptographic service management into multiple distributed service engines rather than a single centralized system. Each engine can independently handle cryptographic operations, allowing the system to maintain security through distributed architecture while avoiding bottlenecks by enabling parallel processing across multiple nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces standardized service interfaces and communication protocols as intermediaries between users and cryptographic infrastructure. These intermediaries enable controlled access through standardized channels, maintaining security policies while allowing broader user access without creating bottlenecks at any single point.
2Productivity
If cryptographic services are distributed across a widely distributed enterprise, then service availability is improved, but sub-optimal solutions and non-standard processes increase costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal cryptographic service interfaces that can be deployed across distributed enterprise environments. These standardized services provide multi-functional capabilities including key management, certificate administration, and cryptographic operations through consistent APIs, enabling broad deployment without requiring custom solutions at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameterized configuration of cryptographic services to adapt to different enterprise requirements while maintaining core functionality. Services can be configured with different security parameters, key lengths, and operational modes through standardized interfaces, allowing distributed deployment with optimized settings for each environment without increasing maintenance complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-standard processes are used for certificate management, then flexibility is improved, but business process changes slow down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic certificate management capabilities that allow processes to adapt to changing business requirements in real-time. The system supports dynamic issuance, renewal, and revocation of certificates through standardized automated processes, enabling flexibility in responding to business changes while maintaining high processing speeds through programmatic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary configuration and automation of certificate management processes. Business rules, security policies, and procedural workflows can be pre-configured in the standardized service interfaces, allowing rapid execution of certificate operations without manual intervention. This preliminary setup maintains flexibility for different scenarios while accelerating business processes through automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A cryptographic services management engine may provide a single point of interaction for both users and administrators to manage and consume cryptographic services. Such an engine may allow centralized control over cryptography parameters, ensuring enterprise security standards are maintained while abstracting the complexity and potential for error away from users. Automating cryptographic maintenance tasks may avoid outages caused by expired or incorrect certificates, and improve reliability and predictability of critical infrastructure services.