Automated Certificate Renewal for Network Device Identity Mismatches
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network environments, especially in LAN settings, changes in printing device host identification information lead to mismatches between the device's identification information and its electronic certificate, causing authentication and spoofing detection issues, and requiring manual administrative intervention for certificate reissuance, which is cumbersome and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that configures and stores identification information, issues requests for electronic certificates, and determines whether the information has altered, notifying administrators of any mismatches or alterations to prevent illicit certificate usage and automate the certificate renewal process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual administrative intervention is used for certificate reissuance when identification information changes, then certificate security is maintained, but administrative workload and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The printing device automatically detects changes in its own identification information (IP address, hostname) and autonomously requests new electronic certificates from the CA without requiring administrator intervention. The device monitors its configuration, compares current identification information with that embedded in its certificate, and initiates renewal processes automatically when mismatches are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the printing device continuously monitors its identification information and compares it with the information embedded in its electronic certificate. When a mismatch is detected, the device automatically initiates a certificate renewal request to the CA, creating a closed-loop system that maintains certificate validity without manual intervention.
2Reliability
If automatic detection of identification information changes is implemented, then certificate validity is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing device autonomously performs self-diagnosis by comparing its current identification information (stored in configuration) with the identification information embedded in its electronic certificate. The device automatically detects mismatches and initiates renewal requests without external intervention, making the system self-managing despite the added functional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary comparison checks between current identification information and certificate-embedded information before certificate expiration occurs. By detecting changes early and initiating renewal processes in advance, the system prevents certificate invalidity rather than reacting to expiration, simplifying the overall certificate management workflow.
3Reliability
If administrators manually check for mismatches between host identification information and certificate information, then security is maintained, but time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The printing device autonomously performs the security check by comparing its current identification information with the information embedded in its electronic certificate. The device automatically detects mismatches and initiates renewal requests, eliminating the need for administrators to manually verify certificate validity and significantly improving administrative efficiency while maintaining security.
4Productivity
If certificate renewal processes are automated, then administrative costs are reduced, but reliability risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system implements continuous feedback monitoring where the printing device regularly compares its current identification information with the information embedded in its electronic certificate. When mismatches are detected, the device automatically initiates renewal requests to the CA, creating a reliable closed-loop system that maintains certificate validity without manual intervention while reducing administrative costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing device autonomously manages its own certificate lifecycle by self-detecting identification information changes and self-initiating renewal requests. This self-service approach eliminates human error in certificate management while maintaining security through automated validation processes, reducing both costs and reliability risks.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus that communicates using an electronic certificate is provided. When identification information is configured that identifies the information processing apparatus on a network, the configured identification information is stored in a storage unit. A request for issue of an electronic certificate containing the identification information stored in the storage unit is issued to a certificate authority. Once the request for issue is issued, a determination is made as to whether or not the identification information contained in the request for issue matches the identification information stored in the storage unit prior to obtaining the electronic certificate that is issued by the certificate authority in response to the request for issue. If it is determined that a mismatch exists, the user is notified to that effect.