Database Salting and Fingerprinting for Data Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively prevent and detect unauthorized use of text and database files, as they are fragile and easily manipulated, making it difficult for data owners to assert ownership and prove wrongful use, especially in cases of data leakage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sorting, salting, and fingerprinting of database tables and text files, where a unique salting recipe is applied, and a fingerprint is captured, allowing data owners to identify and prove the origin of leaked data, even if altered, thereby establishing ownership and facilitating legal action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital watermarking is applied to database tables, text files, or real-time data feeds, then data ownership can be asserted, but the watermark is fragile and easily manipulated due to the lightweight nature of these data types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing into distinct phases: sorting data by specific columns, applying salting recipes to selected rows, and capturing fingerprints. This segmentation allows each operation to be performed independently and verified, making the watermarking process more robust against manipulation attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by sorting the data and applying salting recipes before the actual watermarking or fingerprinting process. This preliminary preparation ensures that the data is in a controlled state, making subsequent watermarking more reliable and less susceptible to manipulation.
2Measurement precision
If manual operations are used to detect data leaks, then data ownership can be verified, but the process is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated computational processes. Sorting, salting, and fingerprinting are performed automatically using algorithms, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual data comparison and analysis while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of data detection by using cryptographic fingerprints and salting recipes instead of manual comparison methods. This transformation enables automated, rapid processing while maintaining or improving detection precision through cryptographic verification.
3Ease of operation
If data is transmitted in clear or decrypted at the point of use, then data usability is maintained, but data leakage risk increases as it can be easily copied and misused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces salting recipes and fingerprints as intermediary elements between the data owner and the data recipient. These intermediaries allow clear text transmission for usability while providing a mechanism to track and detect unauthorized use, thus reducing data leakage risk without compromising data usability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for salting and fingerprinting database tables, text files, data feeds, and the like, first resorts the data according to a field or fields in the data set. A salting recipe is selected and applied to the sorted data. A fingerprint of the data is captured after sorting and salting. The data is then restored to its original order before being sent to a trusted third party. Because the data owner retains information concerning the sorting sorting sonar technique, salting technique, and the fingerprint, the data owner can reconstruct the unsalted file from the salted file, and can determine if a wild file contains data from the data file. The salting is difficult to detect by the bad actor, even if the bad actor is aware that the data has been salted.