Distributed Proxy Re-Encryption Key Ledger Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Proxy Re-Encryption (PRE) systems face challenges in balancing security and decentralization, as centralized key management leads to inefficiencies and single-point failure risks, while decentralized management is vulnerable to compromised peers compromising the entire chain's integrity.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized ledger system managed by a peer-to-peer network that collectively updates and validates Proxy Re-Encryption keys, distributing computations and ensuring security through redundant cross-verification across multiple devices, thus avoiding bottlenecks and single-point failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PRE keys are managed by a centralized key management authority, then trust and security are bolstered, but processing efficiency decreases due to bottleneck at the central authority
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized key management function into distributed peer-to-peer nodes that collectively manage PRE keys. Each node independently validates and stores key access data, eliminating the single-point bottleneck while maintaining collective security through distributed consensus and cross-validation of hash codes across the network.
2Reliability
If PRE keys are managed by a centralized key management authority, then security is improved, but communication bandwidth is consumed due to all parties communicating with a central server
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes the communication load across multiple peer nodes instead of concentrating it at a central server. Each peer communicates directly with others in the network, sharing validation and storage responsibilities, which reduces overall bandwidth consumption and eliminates the central communication bottleneck.
3Reliability
If PRE keys are managed by a centralized key management authority, then security is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to fatal data breach if the central authority is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the security risk by distributing key management across multiple independent peer nodes. A compromise of a single node does not result in complete system failure because other nodes maintain valid copies of the key ledger and can continue operations, providing fault tolerance and eliminating the single-point vulnerability of centralized management.
4Adaptability or versatility
If PRE keys are generated and managed peer-to-peer, then decentralization is achieved, but the integrity of the entire chain is only as strong as the weakest link
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where each peer node validates incoming key access data by computing hash codes and comparing them against the distributed ledger. This cross-validation process provides continuous feedback that strengthens the overall system integrity, as compromised data from any single peer is detected and rejected by the collective verification of other nodes.
5Adaptability or versatility
If PRE keys are generated and managed peer-to-peer, then decentralization is achieved, but faulty keys are difficult to track and correct because parties can obfuscate their identities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cryptographic hash codes as unique identifiers for each key access data entry in the distributed ledger. These hash codes act as immutable fingerprints that track the origin and integrity of each PRE key, allowing faulty or compromised keys to be detected and traced back to their source without exposing peer identities, thus maintaining decentralization while enabling accountability.
Data Source
AI summary
A device, system, and method for decentralized management of a distributed proxy re-encryption key ledger by multiple devices in a distributed peer-to-peer network. A network device may receive shared data defining access to a proxy re-encryption key. The network device may locally generate a hash code based on the shared data. The network device may receive a plurality of hash codes generated based on versions of the shared data at a respective plurality of the other devices in the network. If the locally generated hash code matches the received plurality of hash codes, the network device may validate that the shared data is the same across the network devices and may add the received proxy re-encryption key access data and locally generated hash code to a local copy of the distributed proxy re-encryption key ledger.