Distributed Data Encryption via Parallel Node Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently encrypting and decrypting large data sets across multiple node devices in a distributed environment, particularly in storing and retrieving encrypted data blocks while maintaining data integrity and security.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that involve a processor component to transmit encryption commands to node devices, receive metadata, and generate map entries for encrypted data blocks, using salt values and passphrases to encrypt and decrypt data blocks in parallel, with a control device coordinating storage and retrieval of encrypted data blocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large data sets are encrypted and stored across multiple node devices in a distributed environment, then data security and integrity are improved, but the complexity of coordinating encryption and decryption operations among multiple devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data set into multiple data blocks, with each block encrypted independently using unique encryption data. This segmentation allows parallel processing across multiple node devices while maintaining security, as each device handles only its assigned portion without needing to coordinate with others for the encryption operation itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control device generates encryption data for each data block in advance, before the actual encryption operation. This preliminary generation of encryption keys and data allows node devices to independently encrypt their assigned blocks without real-time coordination, reducing the complexity of inter-device communication during the encryption process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If encryption data is generated and stored for each data block, then data security is improved, but the storage space required and the time to manage encryption data increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidstorage overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a hierarchical storage structure where encryption data is nested within the data file itself. The control device stores encryption data in a structured format that includes pointers to data blocks and their corresponding encryption data, creating a self-contained system where the encryption metadata is integrated into the overall data file structure rather than requiring separate storage systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If multiple node devices encrypt data blocks in parallel, then encryption speed and productivity are improved, but synchronization and coordination overhead between devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencryption speedVSAvoidsynchronization overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Each node device independently performs encryption of its assigned data blocks using pre-generated encryption data from the control device. The devices operate autonomously without needing to synchronize with each other during the encryption process, as each device has all the necessary encryption credentials locally. This self-service approach eliminates inter-device synchronization overhead while maintaining parallel processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Speed

If map data structures are used to track encrypted data blocks, then data retrieval efficiency is improved, but the complexity of generating and managing map entries increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretrieval efficiencyVSAvoidmap management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The map data structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it tracks the location of encrypted data blocks, stores pointers to encryption data, and provides a hierarchical organization system for large data sets. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single unified structure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining efficient retrieval capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3639463B1Distributed data set encryption and decryption
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 SAS INSTITUTE INC
  • EP3639463B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3639463B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3639463B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus includes a processor component of a first node device caused to receive data block encryption data and an indication of size of an encrypted data block distributed to the first node device for decryption, and in response to the data set being of encryptd data: receive an indication of the quantity of sub-blocks within the encrypted data block, and a hashed identifier for each data sub-block; use the data block encryption data to decrypt the encrypted data block to regenerate data set portions from the data sub-blocks; analyze the hashed identifier of each data sub-block to determine whether all data set portions are distributed to the first node device for processing; and in response to a determination that at least one data set portion is to be distributed to a second node device for processing, transmit the at least one data set portion to the second node device.