Cryptographic Logger With Blockchain Verification for Tamper-Proof Logs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing logger technologies lack tamper-proof and authentic recording mechanisms, especially in environments where logs may be compromised or altered, leading to reliability issues and potential misuse, particularly in legal contexts.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a unique cryptographic private and public key pair to securely record and encrypt logs on a blockchain, ensuring immutability and authenticity through a logger installed on target devices, which can be verified using the private key.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional logger technology is used to record logs, then the logging function is achieved, but the logs can be tampered with or altered, compromising their reliability and authenticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blockchain network as an intermediary between the logger and the log storage. The logger generates cryptographic hashes of logs and stores them on the blockchain, which acts as a trusted mediator that prevents tampering. This resolves the contradiction by using the blockchain's immutable ledger mechanism to guarantee log authenticity without requiring complex verification systems at each logging node.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/trust-based logging systems with a cryptographic system. Instead of relying on physical security or trusted intermediaries, the system uses cryptographic hashing (SHA-256) and blockchain consensus mechanisms to ensure log integrity. This substitution of cryptographic mechanisms for traditional security approaches achieves high reliability while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
2Reliability
If cryptographic hashing and blockchain technology are implemented to ensure log immutability, then log authenticity and tamper-proofing are improved, but the computational complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the computationally intensive cryptographic verification process from the logging operation itself. The logger only needs to generate a hash of the log and store it on the blockchain, which is relatively lightweight. The heavy lifting of maintaining chain integrity and consensus is handled by the distributed blockchain network, not individual logging systems. This extraction resolves the contradiction by minimizing the energy burden on the logging component while still achieving tamper-proofing through the blockchain's consensus mechanism.
3Device complexity
If logs are stored locally without blockchain integration, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the logs lack cryptographic verification and can be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the logger generate cryptographic hashes of logs before storing them on the blockchain. This pre-computation of hash values allows for efficient verification later without requiring complex real-time processing. The blockchain network then stores these hashes in advance, creating a verifiable record that can be easily checked against original logs. This preliminary cryptographic preparation maintains relative system simplicity while enabling reliable log verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is provided for a unique logger associated with a unique cryptographic private and public key pair and certificate to record a log which can be uploaded and verified on an immutable blockchain by an agent holding the other cryptographic private key and the public key recorded on the blockchain. Preferably, the logger is configured to automatically record and encrypt a log with its unique public cryptographic key in response to detection of certain pre-determined conditions configured by an agent, and store such log in non-volatile memory together with time stamps. The logger is also configured by an agent to upload the encrypted log to an immutable blockchain after a certain time period or in response to detection of certain pre-determined conditions. The agent holding the private cryptographic key can decrypt the immutable log on the blockchain to cryptographically verify the authenticity of the log.