Deterministic Initialization Vector for Embedded Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional encryption key management is complex and resource-intensive, making it unsuitable for devices with limited processing power and memory, such as embedded systems, and often provides more security than necessary, especially when data is not transmitted over a network.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates a non-random initialization vector using a unique identifier associated with the computing system and information related to the data, allowing for efficient data encoding and decoding without the need for complex key management, by using the same encryption key for multiple data items and eliminating the need for random or pseudo-random data generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional symmetric encryption algorithms with different encryption keys for each piece of sensitive data are used, then security is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple encryption keys into a single encryption key by using deterministic initialization vectors. Instead of managing separate keys for each data item, the system uses one key combined with unique identifiers (such as device IDs, file names, or paths) to generate consistent encryption patterns for different data items, thereby reducing key management complexity while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the encryption system by replacing random initialization vectors with deterministic ones generated from unique identifiers. This parameter change allows the same encryption key to be used across multiple data items while still ensuring unique encryption outputs through the deterministic IV derivation process
2Reliability
If traditional encryption key management is implemented, then security is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of key storage and initialization vector management into a single encryption key, eliminating the need to store and manage multiple keys. This reduction in key management operations decreases computing resource consumption while maintaining the security benefits of encrypted data
3Reliability
If traditional encryption key management is used, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating deterministic initialization vectors from unique identifiers that are inherently available in the system. This eliminates the need for manual key management operations, making the system easier to operate while maintaining strong security through consistent encryption
4Reliability
If random or pseudo-random data generation is implemented on embedded devices, then encryption quality is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by using deterministic data (unique identifiers) instead of random data for initialization vectors. This inversion eliminates the need for random number generation capabilities on embedded devices while still providing secure encryption through the uniqueness and consistency of the deterministic IVs derived from identifiers like device IDs or file paths
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for encoding data may include 1) receiving a request to encode the data using a cipher, 2) identifying an encryption key to be used by the cipher to encode the data, 3) generating, on a computing system, a non-random initialization vector for the cipher by identifying a unique identifier associated with the computing system, identifying information associated with the data, and concatenating the unique identifier with the information associated with the data to create the initialization vector, and 4) encoding the data with the cipher using the initialization vector and the encryption key. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.