Digital Security Credential Provisioning for Networked Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for provisioning networked devices with digital security credentials are inefficient and vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, particularly during manufacturing and distribution.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for provisioning networked devices using a security server that receives a first digital certificate from a secure component, extracts a public key, and generates a second digital certificate based on the public key, product identifier, and vendor identifier, which is then transmitted to the networked device for device commissioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital security credentials are provisioned during manufacturing and distribution, then devices can be authenticated and connected to networks, but security vulnerabilities arise from exposure during transit and storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity credential safetyVSAvoidcybersecurity threats during manufacturing and distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-provisioning devices with security credentials (certificates and keys) during manufacturing, but delays their activation and use until the device is deployed in its operational environment. This allows credentials to be prepared in advance while avoiding exposure during vulnerable transit and distribution phases. The credentials are generated and stored securely, then activated only when the device reaches its final destination and connects to the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If security credentials are generated and stored in secure components, then asymmetric cryptography enables secure authentication, but complexity increases in credential management and deployment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidcredential provisioning and management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an intermediary approach by introducing a security server that acts as a trusted third party in the credential provisioning process. This server coordinates between the device manufacturer, the certificate authority, and the final device deployment. The security server receives requests from manufacturers, obtains credentials from CAs, and distributes them to devices, thereby simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining high security standards through centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If devices are provisioned with credentials before deployment, then authentication is enabled, but exposure to cybersecurity threats increases during manufacturing and distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice commissioningVSAvoidcybersecurity vulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary credential generation and secure component provisioning during manufacturing, but delays the actual activation and use of these credentials until device deployment. This preliminary preparation enables smooth commissioning when the device is deployed, while avoiding the security risks of having active credentials during the vulnerable manufacturing and distribution phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If a centralized security server is used to manage credentials, then credential deployment is streamlined, but a single point of failure is created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredential provisioning efficiencyVSAvoidsystem availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250112791A1Deployment of digital security credentials for just-in-time provisioning of networked devices

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 NAGRAVISION SRL

AI summary

A method, device, and computer-readable medium for provisioning a networked device with digital security credentials, including receiving a first digital certificate of a secure component associated with the networked device; extracting a public key of from the first digital certificate, the public key and a corresponding private key being stored in the secure component for asymmetric cryptography; receiving a product identifier and a vendor identifier associated with the secure component from a first user device; generating a second digital certificate based on the public key of the secure component, the product identifier, and the vendor identifier; and transmitting the second digital certificate to the networked device associated with the secure component, the networked device being configured to generate a device commissioning request based on the second digital certificate and the private key of the secure component.