Embedded Private Key Authentication for Service Islands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication protocols in service-oriented environments fail to create an 'island of trust' that prevents third-party and administrator access to special rights or privileges, as they cannot effectively identify entitled consumers or control authentication mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a computational component retrieving a private key embedded in application code, generating a digitally signed request for access, and sending it with a digital certificate to establish a secure and controlled 'island of trust' over an untrusted network, using embedded credentials and certificates to validate user permissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing authentication protocols are used in service-oriented environments, then authentication between system elements can be provided, but an 'island of trust' cannot be created to prevent third-party and administrator access to special rights or privileges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication mechanism into two distinct parts: (1) a public certificate that can be freely distributed and verified by anyone, and (2) a private key that is embedded within the application code and never leaves the application. This segmentation allows the system to provide both public verification and private control, creating an 'island of trust' where the service provider maintains exclusive control over privilege authorization while allowing public authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The service provider acts as their own certificate authority by embedding the private key directly in the application code. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external certificate authorities and allows the provider to independently control the authentication and authorization mechanisms, creating a self-contained trust environment that is adaptable to their specific service requirements.
2Reliability
If a recognized certificate authority is used to issue digital certificates, then trusted authentication can be established, but costs associated with the certificate authority are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The service provider eliminates the need for external certificate authorities by implementing their own trust validation mechanism. The private key is embedded directly in the application code, and the public key is distributed with the application. This self-service approach allows the provider to validate trust without incurring costs associated with third-party certificate authorities, while maintaining reliable authentication through cryptographic verification.
3Ease of manufacture
If the private key is distributed to external authorities for certificate issuance, then standard PKI processes can be followed, but security control over the private key is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the private key from the traditional PKI distribution process and embeds it directly within the application code. This extraction eliminates the need to distribute the private key to external authorities or certificate authorities. The public key is distributed with the application, allowing standard verification processes to continue, while the private key remains securely contained within the application, maintaining both ease of certificate distribution and private key security.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to establishing an island of trust using credentials issued by a manufacturer or service provider and protecting the credentials by embedding them in application code.