DC Device Internet Attack Surface Removal via AC/DC Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current internet-connected devices are vulnerable to malicious attacks due to the lack of secure design in the TCP/IP protocol and operating systems, leading to a significant internet attack surface that cannot be completely eliminated without modifying the existing internet infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a 'dc device' concept, which uses an ac/dc adapter to isolate itself from the internet, separating dc data from ac data and containing it within the dc device, allowing only signed programs to execute and control the loading of authenticated images, thereby creating a secure environment for communication over the internet without exposing an attack surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices connect directly to the internet using TCP/IP protocol, then internet communication functionality is enabled, but security vulnerability and attack surface increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the internet communication function into two separate components: an AC device that handles internet connectivity and a DC device that handles secure data processing. The AC/DC adapter acts as an interface between these segments, allowing the DC device to communicate over the internet through the AC device while maintaining security isolation. This segmentation enables internet functionality while preventing direct exposure of the DC device to internet attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The AC/DC adapter serves as an intermediary component between the AC internet-connected device and the DC secure device. It mediates all communication between them, translating and controlling data flow in both directions. The adapter enables the DC device to access internet services through the AC device while maintaining security boundaries, thus providing internet functionality without direct connection exposure.
2Ease of operation
If traditional internet-connected devices are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but susceptibility to malicious attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates user interaction functions from data processing functions. The AC device handles user interaction and internet communication, while the DC device performs secure data processing. This segmentation allows users to interact with the system through familiar AC devices while the critical DC component remains protected from direct user and internet exposure, reducing attack surface while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If attack surface is completely removed from devices, then security is improved, but internet communication capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a new dimensional layer of communication between AC and DC devices through the AC/DC adapter. Instead of the DC device communicating directly with the internet (one dimension), communication now occurs through the adapter interface (adding another dimension). This dimensional change allows internet communication capability to be maintained while the DC device itself remains isolated and secure, effectively removing its attack surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is introduced for communicating over the internet with no internet attack surface using internet connected devices. An isolated device referred to as a dc device, is introduced to function as a place for carrying out computations in isolation from internet connected devices as well as from other instances within the dc device. A user is able to interact with the dc device through a dc terminal. The dc terminal may make use of the input/output interfaces of the user internet connected device, while maintaining the isolation of the dc device. A dc server is introduced for communicating with the dc device over the internet with no internet attack surface. Having introduced the dc device, the dc terminal and the dc server, a dc domain is defined where communication between devices and between users and devices takes place in the dc domain over the internet with no internet attack surface. Uses for the dc domain may be user authentication, messaging between users, payment applications, cloud applications, IoT, smart vehicles, medical applications, document uses and so forth. In the dc domain content and ad serving may take place between a dc server and a dc device.