Dynamic Document Watermarking for Unauthorized Disclosure Source Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods face challenges in identifying the source of unauthorized information disclosure, especially when it occurs through verbal means, as tracking such incidents can be complex and difficult to monitor.
Innovation Solution
A system where a document is generated and transmitted to multiple users with varying data items in a data item field, allowing identification of the group and subgroup that viewed specific information, which can then be further sorted to narrow down the source of the disclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the same document is transmitted to multiple users with different data items, then the ability to identify the source of unauthorized disclosure is improved, but the system complexity increases due to tracking and managing user-specific data assignments
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the user base into different groups, where each group is assigned specific data items to view in the document. This segmentation allows the system to track which group had access to which data, enabling precise identification of the disclosure source without requiring complex individual user tracking for each data item.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary tracking mechanism that records the relationship between user groups and data items. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system complexity by centralizing the tracking function, rather than requiring direct complex tracking between each user and each data item they might access.
2Measurement precision
If multiple documents are created and transmitted to different user groups to track data access, then the ability to identify the disclosure source is improved, but the time and resources required for document management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple tracking functions into a single document transmission process. Instead of creating and managing separate documents for different user groups, the system transmits one document with embedded data items that are dynamically assigned to different user groups, reducing document management time while maintaining tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assignment of data items to user groups before document transmission. This preliminary action allows the tracking framework to be established in advance, eliminating the need for complex post-transmission document management and reducing the time required for ongoing document operations.
3Measurement precision
If different data items are assigned to different user groups in the same document, then the disclosure source can be identified more accurately, but the difficulty of managing and tracking user access increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of data item assignment from individual user level to user group level. This parameter change simplifies the tracking and detection process, as the system only needs to monitor which group had access to which data item, rather than tracking individual user access patterns, thereby reducing tracking difficulty while maintaining identification accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for identifying a source of an unauthorized disclosure of information are provided. For instance, a document may be generated and transmitted to a plurality of users. The document transmitted may be the same document (e.g., no additional documents are created for different users). Upon accessing the document, users in different groups of users may view different data items in a data item field in the document. If a disclosure is made, the data item disclosed may aid in identifying the group of users who viewed that data item and may be the source of the disclosure. That identified group may then be further sorted or divided into two or more subgroups and another document may be transmitted to the plurality of users. The process may continue in this manner until a source of the disclosure is identified.