Infrastructure Device Enrolment via Pre-provisioned Cryptographic Identity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enrolling infrastructure devices, such as printers, into enterprise networks often rely on manual processes or insecure protocols due to the lack of pre-provisioned cryptographic identities, leading to security risks and difficulties in managing device ownership changes, especially in scenarios like Device-as-a-Service models.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves pre-provisioning devices with a cryptographic binding that includes a public/private key pair and a device identity, allowing for secure out-of-box authentication and enrollment, as well as the generation of proof-of-ownership certificates to manage ownership changes and secure communication channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual input or pre-provisioned values are used for on-premises enrolment, then device enrollment can be completed, but security risks increase and automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-provisioned with a cryptographic identity (certificate and private key) during manufacturing, before deployment to the enterprise network. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual security configuration during enrollment, allowing automated secure enrollment while maintaining high security standards. The pre-provisioned cryptographic identity enables the device to authenticate itself automatically to the device manager.
2Ease of operation
If devices are enrolled without pre-provisioned cryptographic identities, then enrollment process is simpler, but security parameters cannot be properly provisioned
Solution Approach 1:
Cryptographic identities including certificates and private keys are pre-provisioned into devices during manufacturing. This allows devices to perform secure self-authentication during enrollment without requiring manual security configuration, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and proper security parameter provisioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses its pre-provisioned cryptographic identity to autonomously authenticate itself to the device manager during enrollment. The device independently proves its identity through cryptographic verification without requiring manual intervention or external security configuration, achieving both simplicity and security.
3Reliability
If manual enrollment processes are used, then security can be maintained, but productivity and enrollment speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Security credentials are pre-configured during device manufacturing, enabling automated secure enrollment. The device can immediately authenticate itself to the device manager using pre-provisioned certificates, eliminating time-consuming manual security configuration steps while maintaining security integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device autonomously performs security authentication using its pre-provisioned cryptographic identity. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual security configuration by administrators, significantly accelerating enrollment speed while maintaining security through cryptographic verification.
4Device complexity
If cryptographic identities are not pre-provisioned, then device complexity is reduced, but secure authentication cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Cryptographic identities including private keys and certificates are pre-provisioned during device manufacturing. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex cryptographic setup during deployment, reducing operational complexity while ensuring secure authentication capabilities are immediately available.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided methods and devices for enrolling a device into a network, including a device comprising a secure storage comprising a device identifier and a public key, and a controller configured to: retrieve a proof-of-ownership certificate comprising a cryptographic binding between the device identifier and an owner identifier based on a secret key corresponding to the stored public key, authenticate the proof-of-ownership certificate based on the stored device identifier and public key, establish an authenticated communication channel with a device manager based on the authenticated proof-of-ownership certificate, and receive setup information from the device manager to enrol the device on the network.