CSI Encryption Proxy for Container Volume Security
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for encrypting data stored on volumes managed by container orchestrators using a container storage interface (CSI) are not storage provider independent, limiting the ability to use encrypted data across multiple containers and nodes, and often require the application to handle encryption/decryption processes.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate encryption service, implemented as a CSI encryption proxy plugin, intercepts RPC requests from the container orchestrator to determine if encryption is needed and uses tools like cryptsetup or veracrypt to encrypt volumes, allowing encrypted data to be used by multiple containers and nodes without relying on specific storage providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If storage provider-specific encryption is used, then encryption functionality is provided, but the solution is tied to a particular storage provider and cannot be used across multiple storage providers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a CSI encryption proxy plugin as an intermediary component between the container orchestrator and storage providers. This proxy intercepts RPC requests, performs encryption operations using tools like cryptsetup or veracrypt, and forwards requests to storage providers. This intermediary layer enables storage provider-independent encryption while maintaining compatibility with multiple storage providers through the standard CSI interface.
2Ease of operation
If the application handles encryption/decryption directly, then encryption control is provided, but the complexity of key management and encryption operations falls on the application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the encryption functionality from the application layer and places it in a dedicated CSI encryption proxy plugin. This separation allows the application to focus on its core functionality while the proxy plugin handles all encryption/decryption operations, key management, and interactions with storage providers. The application simply mounts encrypted volumes without needing to understand or manage encryption details.
3Reliability
If entire disk encryption is implemented, then data security is improved, but flexibility to use the same datastore for both encrypted and unencrypted volumes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements encryption at the volume level rather than requiring entire disk encryption. The CSI encryption proxy plugin encrypts only the specific volumes that require protection, allowing the same datastore to host both encrypted and unencrypted volumes. This local quality approach enables selective encryption of sensitive data while leaving other data accessible without encryption overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and service to encrypt data at rest on disks that are managed by a container orchestrator (CO) using a container storage interface (CSI). The method and service including intercepting a request transferred from a CO to a CSI plugin and sending the intercepted request to an encryption proxy plugin. The method and service also including examining the request to determine if encryption is needed. In response to encryption being needed, performing encryption on the volume. The method and service also transferring the intercepted request to the container storage interface plugin.