Data Port Arrangement for Secure Off-Site Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data transfer methods are insufficiently secure, do not support real-time transfer of large data quantities, are costly, and do not facilitate immediate data recovery, especially over un-trusted networks like the Internet or wireless connections.
Innovation Solution
A data port arrangement is configured on the source network to encrypt and transmit data securely through an un-trusted network using a data port arrangement that establishes an encrypted tunnel with the destination network, utilizing standard operating system facilities like the 'mapped drive' for data transfer, and employing protocols such as IPsec and AES for encryption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is transferred through un-trusted networks using conventional methods, then connectivity and accessibility are improved, but security is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
A data port arrangement acts as an intermediary device between the trusted source network and un-trusted external networks. The data port encrypts data before transmission and decrypts it at the destination, serving as a security mediator that enables network connectivity while protecting against security threats in un-trusted environments
Solution Approach 2:
Encryption is performed in advance (preliminarily) before data leaves the trusted source network. The data port arrangement encrypts data packets prior to transmission through un-trusted networks, ensuring security is established before exposure to potential threats
2Reliability
If encryption is implemented using dedicated hardware or software, then security is improved, but device resource constraints are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The data port arrangement serves as a dedicated intermediary device that handles all encryption and decryption operations. This offloads the computational burden from end-user devices, providing high-quality encryption without consuming resources on client devices
Solution Approach 2:
The data port arrangement creates a copy of the data transmission function with enhanced security capabilities. Instead of requiring every device to perform encryption, a centralized data port copy of the transmission function provides encryption services to multiple users
3Ease of operation
If standard data transfer protocols are used, then ease of operation is improved, but security is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The data port arrangement mediates between simple standard protocols and security requirements. It accepts data using standard protocols for ease of operation, then applies encryption to provide security protection, combining both benefits
4Productivity
If large quantities of data are transferred in real-time, then productivity is improved, but security risks are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Encryption is performed preliminarily on all data packets before they enter the transmission pipeline. This ensures that even large quantities of data moving in real-time are already protected, reducing security exposure during high-speed transfers
Solution Approach 2:
The data port arrangement acts as a security intermediary that processes and encrypts data at high speeds, enabling real-time transfer of large data quantities while maintaining security protection throughout the transmission process
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and methods for facilitating secure data transfer, for use in off-site data backup for example. A data port arrangement (2) is provided for inclusion on a source network (6) to transmit data received from a computing device (4) on the source network to a destination device (8) outside the source network via a router (28) on the source network and an external network communicatively coupled to the router, wherein the data is sent to the data port arrangement in a data packet including a destination address associated with the data port arrangement, the data port arrangement comprising: an input port configured to receive the data packet from the computing device on the source network; a data processing arrangement (18, 20, 22) configured to replace the destination address with the address of the destination device and to encrypt the data to be sent to the destination device; and an output port configured to output the encrypted data for transmission to the destination device via the router and the external network. A destination network (10) for receiving encrypted data sent from such a data port arrangement is also described.