Decoy Cryptographic Key for Network Intrusion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing data networks against intrusion by protecting cryptographic keys are either costly or limit flexibility, and fail to detect or react to intrusions if physical safeguards are breached.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a decoy cryptographic key system where each network device has both a decoy and an authentic key, with the decoy key being used to detect unauthorized data transmission, allowing for alert generation and isolation of compromised devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical safeguards (locking mechanisms, physical monitoring) are added to network devices, then security against intrusion is improved, but manufacturing expense increases and deployment flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the cryptographic key system by implementing a decoy key that mimics the structure and location of the authentic key. This virtual copy allows intrusion detection without requiring physical safeguards, resolving the contradiction between security reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical physical safeguards (locks, physical monitoring) with a cryptographic software-based solution. The decoy key system uses cryptographic mechanisms instead of mechanical security features, eliminating the need for expensive physical safeguards while maintaining security effectiveness
2Reliability
If physical safeguards are used to protect cryptographic keys, then key disclosure is prevented, but detection and reaction to intrusion is not provided if safeguards fail
Solution Approach 1:
The decoy key system implements feedback by monitoring whether the decoy key is being used. When the decoy key is detected as active, the system immediately generates an alert and isolates the compromised device, providing real-time detection and reaction to intrusion attempts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares for potential intrusion by pre-configuring the decoy key and establishing detection mechanisms before any attack occurs. The system is ready to immediately detect and respond to intrusions without requiring additional detection infrastructure when safeguards fail
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for detecting intrusion into a data network are disclosed. Such intrusion can be detected, for example, by providing at least two network devices in a data network. Each of the network devices has a decoy cryptographic key that is used to detect unauthorized data and an authentic cryptographic key that is used to encrypt authorized data. The first network device receives data from the second network device that is encrypted using the decoy cryptographic key. The first network device determines that the data is encrypted using the decoy cryptographic key. The first network device deletes or otherwise discards the data encrypted using the decoy cryptographic key. The first network device can generate an alert message instructing other network devices that the second network device is generating the unauthorized data. The alert message also instructs the other network devices to ignore data originating from the second network device.