Edge Orchestrator Time Synchronization Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Edge devices face security risks in time synchronization due to potential compromises when communicating with remote time management entities, which can lead to errors and impaired processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an edge orchestrator that requests a true time value from a trusted time server, performs security verification procedures, and distributes the true time value to edge devices through secure communication channels, thereby reducing the risk of compromise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If edge devices communicate directly with remote time management entities for time synchronization, then time synchronization can be achieved, but security risks and potential compromises increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an edge orchestrator as an intermediary component between edge devices and remote time management entities. The orchestrator centralizes time synchronization requests, performs security verification procedures, and distributes verified time values to edge devices. This mediator approach reduces direct security exposures for individual edge devices while maintaining synchronization functionality.
2Reliability
If multiple edge devices independently verify time values from remote servers, then security verification can be performed, but computational overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges security verification operations into a centralized function performed by the edge orchestrator. Instead of each edge device independently verifying time values from multiple remote servers, the orchestrator performs verification once and distributes the verified result to multiple edge devices. This consolidation significantly reduces total computational overhead while maintaining security verification.
3Reliability
If edge devices use secure communication channels for time synchronization, then security is improved, but communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The edge orchestrator serves multiple functions including time synchronization, security verification, and communication coordination. By consolidating these functions into a single universal component, the system reduces overall communication complexity compared to having each edge device manage separate secure communication channels to multiple remote servers.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for securing edge devices are disclosed. The edge devices may be secured by facilitating time synchronization of the edge devices through an edge orchestrator. The edge orchestrator may securely perform time synchronization with a trusted time server. The edge orchestrator may obtain a true time value from the trusted time server and verify the integrity of the true time value using security processes. Once the integrity of the true time value has been verified, then the edge devices may obtain the true time value from the edge orchestrator through secure communication channels. After the edge devices obtain the true time value from the edge orchestrator, the edge device may perform time synchronization.