Database Encryption Key Management via Hardware Security Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional database encryption systems face challenges in securely managing database encryption keys, as they often require transmitting cleartext keys, which violates cryptographic control principles and exposes encryption information to unauthorized access, especially when handling large data volumes.
Innovation Solution
A database encryption key management system utilizing a Hardware Security Module (HSM) generates a master key encryption key and HMAC key, encrypts the HMAC key, and transmits the cryptogram to the database server, where a unique identifier is used to derive a database encryption key (DEK) without exposing cleartext keys, ensuring the DEK resides only in volatile memory and is not stored or transmitted in cleartext.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional database encryption systems transmit cleartext keys for key management, then key management operations can be performed, but encryption keys are exposed to unauthorized access and cryptographic control principles are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an HSM as an intermediary component that mediates between the key management system and the database server. The HSM generates and manages encryption keys internally without exposing them in cleartext form, while still enabling key management operations through secure cryptographic protocols. This resolves the contradiction by allowing operational functionality while maintaining security through the intermediary HSM layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sensitive cleartext key transmission step from the key management process. Instead of transmitting cleartext keys between systems, the HSM extracts only the necessary cryptographic operations (key generation, encryption, decryption) and performs them internally, exposing only encrypted key material or cryptographic proofs rather than the actual keys in cleartext form.
2Ease of operation
If cleartext encryption keys are stored or transmitted, then key management is simplified, but vulnerability to external attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The HSM acts as a secure intermediary that prevents cleartext keys from being stored or transmitted across systems. All key operations occur within the HSM's secure boundary, and only encrypted key material or cryptographic proofs are exchanged with external systems, eliminating the vulnerability associated with cleartext key storage and transmission while maintaining key management functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The HSM creates a secure, isolated environment (analogous to an inert atmosphere) where encryption keys exist only in encrypted or protected forms. This secure boundary prevents external systems from accessing cleartext keys, effectively creating a protective barrier against external attacks while still enabling necessary key management operations through controlled cryptographic interfaces.
3Ease of operation
If encryption keys are transmitted between systems, then key management operations can be performed, but cryptographic control principles are violated and security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The HSM serves as a cryptographic control intermediary that enforces security policies. It performs all key operations internally and communicates with external systems only through approved cryptographic protocols, ensuring that cryptographic control principles are maintained while key management operations can still be performed. The HSM mediates between operational needs and security requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the key transmission step entirely from the system architecture. Instead of transmitting keys between systems, the HSM retains all key material internally and performs operations using only encrypted representations or cryptographic proofs, eliminating the security violation associated with key transmission while maintaining operational capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described for enhanced-security database encryption via cryptographic software, where key management is carried out, without exporting or exposing cleartext keys, using an independent key manager coupled to a cryptographic hardware security module (HSM).