Digital Fingerprint Library for Hierarchical Security Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data security methods, such as fingerprinting, struggle to detect and assign appropriate security levels to files containing partial fragments copied from protected information, especially when even a single symbol difference occurs, leading to potential unauthorized data release.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a Digital Fingerprint Library (DFL) that compares fingerprints of fragments of fixed length N from a source to those stored in the library, automatically assigning a hierarchical security level by updating the level if a matching fingerprint with a higher security level is found, using a Source Processor and Comparator to DFL, and employing hash functions for fingerprint generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fingerprinting of entire files is used to detect protected information, then the method can identify files with matching content, but it fails to detect partial fragments when even one symbol differs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of protected informationVSAvoidability to detect partial fragments

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the file into smaller fragments of fixed length N and generates fingerprints for each fragment independently. This segmentation allows the system to detect protected information even when entire files differ, as long as fragment-level fingerprints match. The sliding window method systematically extracts overlapping fragments, ensuring comprehensive coverage of potential protected content throughout the file.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from comparing entire files (one-dimensional approach) to comparing fragments of fixed length N (multi-dimensional approach). By extracting multiple fragments with overlapping windows and generating fingerprints for each, the system creates a dimensional expansion that enables detection of partial matches. The hierarchical security levels add another dimension for classifying the sensitivity of detected fragments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If fingerprint comparison is performed against all known files, then matches can be identified, but the system cannot automatically assign appropriate hierarchical security levels to sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification of matching fingerprintsVSAvoidautomatic assignment of hierarchical security level

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system not only compares fingerprints but also automatically assigns hierarchical security levels based on the matches found. When a fragment fingerprint matches a known protected file, the system feedbacks by assigning the appropriate security level to the source file. This automated feedback loop eliminates manual security classification and enables dynamic security level assignment based on actual content analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-establishes a database of known protected files with their hierarchical security levels before analyzing unknown files. This preliminary action allows the system to automatically assign security levels to new files by comparing their fragment fingerprints against the pre-existing database, eliminating the need for manual security classification during the analysis process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the system checks for exact fingerprint matches, then it can identify identical content, but it cannot detect fragments with minor symbol differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of fingerprint matchingVSAvoidfalse negatives in fragment detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the file into overlapping fragments of fixed length N, where each fragment is independently fingerprinted. This segmentation strategy increases the probability of detecting protected information even when symbol differences exist, as long as some fragments match. The sliding window approach ensures that even minor differences in individual symbols won't prevent detection if other fragments match.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs partial matching by requiring only a certain number of fragment matches rather than requiring all fragments to match exactly. This partial action approach allows the system to identify protected information even when some fragments differ due to minor symbol changes, reducing false negatives while maintaining reliable fingerprint matching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20240111882A1Automatic Classification of Files with Hierarchical Structure with the Digital Fingerprints Library

Publication Date: 2024.04.04 ACRONIS INT

AI summary

A system and a method for automatically assigning a hierarchical security level to a source of data, e.g., a file or a database, that can be used as a source to generate, e.g., to calculate or to extract, fingerprints of fragments of a fixed size N using a digital fingerprint library that contains fingerprints of known fragments fixed size and their hierarchical security levels are disclosed herein. The method comprises assignment of an initial hierarchical security level to a source of data and further comparison of fingerprints of its fragments of fixed size to the fingerprints of fingerprints of fixed size and their related hierarchical security levels stored in the digital fingerprint library.