Dump File Anonymization via Sensitive Data Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dump and log files, which contain sensitive information, pose a risk when shared as they often expose critical and confidential data, making it difficult to determine and protect such information due to their large size and technical nature, potentially revealing security mechanisms and allowing for misuse.
Innovation Solution
The development of a dump and log anonymization technique that identifies and modifies sensitive content within these files using predetermined patterns and algorithms, maintaining the technical infrastructure to ensure the anonymized files can still be processed by utility applications, thereby preventing exposure of confidential information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dump and log files are shared with third parties for problem determination and analysis, then the ability to receive and process diagnostic information is improved, but the risk of exposing critical and confidential information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes sensitive information (personal identifiers, financial data, credentials) from dump and log files before sharing with third parties. The system identifies and extracts only the problematic portions while retaining the technical infrastructure and diagnostic value of the files.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary anonymization process between the original dump/log files and the third-party recipient. This intermediary layer (the anonymization system) processes the files to remove sensitive information while preserving the essential diagnostic data, acting as a mediator that enables sharing without direct exposure of confidential information.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dump and log files are anonymized to remove sensitive information, then the security and data protection are improved, but the complexity of processing and analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively anonymizing only specific portions of the files (sensitive information) while leaving the rest of the technical infrastructure unchanged. This targeted approach maintains the overall usability and processing capability of the files while removing only the harmful elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the dump and log files into different components: sensitive information that needs anonymization and technical infrastructure that maintains diagnostic value. By segmenting the file structure, the system can process and anonymize only the necessary portions without affecting the entire file's usability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sensitive information is removed from dump and log files, then the data protection compliance is improved, but the utility and diagnostic value of the files may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains local quality by preserving the technical infrastructure and diagnostic information while removing only the sensitive portions. The anonymized files retain their original structure and diagnostic value, ensuring that the removal of sensitive information does not compromise the files' utility for problem determination and analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment of the invention, an original dump file is received from a client machine to be forwarded to a dump file recipient. The original dump file is parsed to identify certain content of the original dump file that matches certain data patterns/categories. The original dump file is anonymized by modifying the identified content according to a predetermined algorithm, such that the identified content of the original dump file is no longer exposed, generating an anonymized dump file. The anonymized dump file is then transmitted to the dump file recipient. Technical content and infrastructure of the original dump file is maintained within the anonymized dump file after the anonymization, such that a utility application designed to process the original dump file can still process the anonymized dump file without exposing the identified content of the original dump file to the dump file recipient. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.