Dual-Domain Computer Security Module Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Network-connected computers face challenges in maintaining security due to complex operating systems, user behavior, and inadequate remote access procedures, leading to potential security breaches.
Innovation Solution
A dual-domain computer system is introduced, featuring a general-purpose domain for non-secure operations and a secure domain designed with hardware-level security, isolated from the operating system and user interactions. This system includes a security module with key storage, network encryption, and storage encryption modules to ensure secure data communication and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose operating system is used to provide sophisticated functionality, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but security reliability deteriorates due to complex code and potential vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The computer system is divided into two distinct hardware domains: a general-purpose domain running standard operating systems for functionality, and a secure domain with a minimal trusted operating system for security operations. This segmentation isolates security-critical functions from the vulnerable general-purpose environment, allowing each domain to be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Security-critical components (security module, key storage, encryption modules) are extracted from the general-purpose operating system and placed in a separate secure domain. This extraction removes the security burden from the complex OS, eliminating vulnerabilities associated with large codebases while maintaining security functionality.
2Ease of operation
If users are granted full access to the computer system for ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but security reliability deteriorates due to user misuse and disabling security features
Solution Approach 1:
A security module acts as an intermediary between users and security-critical resources. The module enforces security policies, manages authentication, and controls access to encrypted data and networks, preventing users from directly compromising security even when granted operational access to the general-purpose domain.
Solution Approach 2:
User access rights are segmented into two domains: full access to the general-purpose domain for productivity tasks, and restricted access to the secure domain where security policies are enforced. This segmentation allows users to operate freely in the general domain while the secure domain maintains strict security controls.
3Ease of operation
If traditional remote access methods (username/password) are used for simplicity, then ease of operation is improved, but security reliability deteriorates due to phishing and unsecure password transfer
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional password-based authentication is replaced with hardware-based cryptographic authentication. The security module uses cryptographic keys and certificates stored in secure hardware to authenticate remote connections, eliminating the vulnerabilities of password transmission while maintaining automated authentication processes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A secure computer is disclosed comprising a general-purpose domain, a secure domain, and a security module. The general-purpose domain is configured to provide general-purpose computing and comprises a host processor, a non-volatile storage system, and at least one networking device. The secure domain is configured to provide secure computing and comprises a secure processor. The security module is configured to facilitate data transmission between the general-purpose domain and the secure domain.