Cryptographic Key Label With Pedigree And One-Way Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryptographic key management systems face challenges in securely managing and sharing information across multiple domains with varying levels of trust, particularly in multinational entities, as they struggle to provide dynamic access control, scalability, and persistent access control while maintaining data separation and confidentiality.
Innovation Solution
A cryptographic key management system that generates and manages read-write and write-only keys using a one-way function to create a pedigree, which is associated with the keys, allowing for dynamic updates and revocations, and supports cross-domain information sharing without inducing management overhead, using a Key Protection Module for secure key distribution and access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cryptographic keys are shared across multiple domains with varying levels of trust, then information exchange capability is improved, but access control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Key Protection Module (KPM) as an intermediary component that mediates between different cryptographic domains. The KPM manages key distribution, protection, and access control across domains with varying trust levels, enabling secure information exchange without requiring direct complex access control mechanisms between each domain pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments access control into domain-specific key management units. Each domain maintains its own cryptographic keys and access control policies, while the KPM provides a standardized interface for inter-domain communication. This segmentation allows independent domain management while simplifying cross-domain access control through standardized protocols.
2Reliability
If dynamic access control is implemented for timely updates and revocations, then security responsiveness is improved, but system overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Key Protection Module implements self-service mechanisms where domains can autonomously manage their own key distribution and access control. The system automatically handles key revocation and updates through centralized coordination without requiring manual intervention or complex coordination protocols, reducing operational overhead while maintaining timely access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the KPM receives status information from domains and automatically adjusts key distribution accordingly. When access rights change or keys are compromised, the feedback loop triggers automatic key revocation and redistribution, enabling timely security responses without requiring complex real-time monitoring systems.
3Quantity of substance
If key management scalability is improved to support large numbers of domains, then system capacity increases, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Key Protection Module is designed as a universal system that can manage keys across any number of domains using standardized protocols. The same KPM infrastructure handles key distribution, protection, and access control for single-domain or multi-domain scenarios, eliminating the need for domain-specific management systems and reducing overall complexity as the number of domains scales.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses key copying and distribution mechanisms where cryptographic keys are replicated and distributed to multiple domains through the KPM. This copying approach enables efficient key management across large numbers of domains, as the KPM can distribute identical key material to multiple domains simultaneously without requiring complex individual key generation and management for each domain.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer program product, for producing a cryptographic key label for use in exchanging information between first and second organizations of members, resides on a computer-readable medium includes computer-readable instructions configured to cause a computer to: produce a read-write cryptographic key using at least one base value; produce a write-only cryptographic key using the read-write cryptographic key; combine a first identifier, uniquely associated with the first organization, and a second identifier, uniquely associated with the key label to be produced, using a one-way function to produce a pedigree; and associate the pedigree with the read-write key and the write-only key to form the cryptographic key label.