Delayed Decryption Cryptography Service Key Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data security systems in distributed computing environments face challenges in managing and securing cryptographic keys, particularly in ensuring authorized access and preventing unauthorized use, especially in multi-tenant environments where access control and key management are complex.
Innovation Solution
A cryptography service that manages keys, enforces policies, and implements key rotation, using security modules and annotations to ensure secure key usage, limits access based on context, and employs delayed decryption to prevent unauthorized data leaks, while allowing transparent key rotation and secure storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If immediate decryption is provided upon data access request, then user convenience and system responsiveness are improved, but security risks increase as unauthorized entities may gain access before verification
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by initiating the key retrieval process immediately upon receiving a data access request, but delays the actual decryption until authorization is confirmed. The cryptography service pre-loads the key from secure storage and prepares it for decryption, but only executes the decryption operation after the delay period confirms no cancellation request was made. This allows the system to be ready for fast decryption while maintaining security through the delay mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a delay period with cancellation capability - between the data access request and the actual decryption operation. This intermediary layer acts as a security checkpoint where authorized entities can review the access request and cancel it if unauthorized. The cryptography service serves as another intermediary that manages the key retrieval and decryption process, separating the trigger (access request) from the execution (decryption).
2Speed
If cryptographic keys are stored in easily accessible locations for fast decryption, then decryption speed is improved, but security is worsened as keys become vulnerable to unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the key storage and access process into multiple isolated components: secure key storage (separated from data storage), controlled key retrieval (through cryptography service), and conditional decryption (with delay and cancellation). The key is stored in a secure location separate from the data, and access to the key is segmented into authorized retrieval steps that are independent of data access permissions. This segmentation ensures that even if data is accessed, the key remains protected in its separate secure storage location.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryptography service acts as an intermediary layer between the secure key storage and the decryption process. Instead of allowing direct access to stored keys, the system uses the cryptography service to manage key retrieval and provide keys only to authorized entities under controlled conditions. This intermediary mechanism enables fast decryption by pre-loading keys when needed, while maintaining security by controlling and monitoring all key access through the service layer.
3Reliability
If key access is restricted to enhance security, then security reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional access control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The cryptography service provides a universal interface for key management that handles multiple security requirements through a single standardized mechanism. Rather than implementing separate access control systems for different key access scenarios, the patent uses a universal delay-and-cancel mechanism that works across all key retrieval operations. The service manages key storage, retrieval, and distribution through unified policies, reducing the need for multiple specialized access control mechanisms while maintaining comprehensive security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service key management where the cryptography service automatically manages key retrieval, validation, and distribution without requiring complex manual authorization processes. The delay mechanism with automatic cancellation capability allows authorized entities to self-manage key access by simply requesting cancellation if unauthorized access is detected, without needing complex approval workflows. This self-service approach simplifies access control while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
A system uses information submitted in connection with a request to determine if and how to process the request. The information may be electronically signed by a requestor using a key such that the system processing the request can verify that the requestor has the key and that the information is authentic. The information may include information that identifies a holder of a key needed for processing the request, where the holder of the key can be the system or another, possibly third party, system. Requests to decrypt data may be processed to ensure that a certain amount of time passes before access to the decrypted data is provided, thereby providing an opportunity to cancel such requests and/or otherwise mitigate potential security breaches.