Pseudonymized Data Element Production via Dynamic Transformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data analytics systems face challenges in maintaining privacy and confidentiality of identifying information while still being able to analyze data for security concerns and network performance, as pseudonymization and anonymization techniques can make it difficult to link data elements over time, potentially hindering the ability to identify security incidents or anomalous activity.
Innovation Solution
A system that refreshes data elements by modifying a transformation function periodically, using a sequence value that changes based on metrics such as event counts or time, ensuring that each iteration produces a new pseudonymized data element, making it difficult for unauthorized entities to link multiple data elements and thus enhancing privacy while allowing authorized entities to track security concerns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If pseudonymization and anonymization techniques are used to protect privacy, then privacy and confidentiality of identifying information are improved, but the ability to link data elements over time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transformation function changeable over time through periodic refreshing with new sequence values. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt between privacy protection modes (using refreshed transformations) and data analysis modes (using stable transformations), resolving the contradiction between privacy and linkability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the transformation function by introducing a sequence value that is periodically refreshed. This parameter change enables the system to produce different transformation behaviors at different times, allowing both privacy protection (through changing parameters) and data linkability (through controlled stability periods).
2Object-affected harmful factors
If data elements are made unlinkable over time to enhance privacy, then unauthorized tracking is prevented, but the ability to identify security incidents or anomalous activity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by refreshing the transformation function at scheduled intervals based on metrics such as event counts or time. This periodic refreshing prevents unauthorized tracking while allowing authorized entities to detect security incidents by analyzing patterns within each periodic cycle before the transformation changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from metrics (event counts, time) to control when transformation function refreshing occurs. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust between privacy protection and security monitoring needs based on actual data flow and security conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a transformation function is refreshed periodically to produce new pseudonymized data elements, then privacy-by-design is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transformation function is designed to be self-managing through automatic periodic refreshing based on embedded metrics. The system automatically tracks event counts and time to determine when refreshing should occur, reducing the need for complex external management while enhancing privacy protection.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method is described. The method comprises receiving identifying information associated with an occurrence of an activity within a computing network. The method further comprises receiving an indication of a sequence value generated by a sequence function that iterates the sequence value in response to a metric associated with activity of the computing network triggering iteration of the sequence value. The method further comprises producing a data element representative of the identifying information by using the indicated sequence value as an input to a transformation function for at least partially concealing the identifying information when producing the data element.