Encrypted ALU Architecture for Secure Distributed Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed computing systems face vulnerabilities in processing sensitive data as the data is decrypted at computers, making it susceptible to attacks, even when processors are equipped with encryption and decryption modules.
Innovation Solution
A processor architecture that operates exclusively on encrypted data without decrypting it, using an arithmetic logic unit to perform operations on encrypted inputs and generate encrypted outputs, ensuring secure data processing by preventing unauthorized access to the encryption keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is decrypted at computers for distributed processing, then data can be processed using combined processing power, but data becomes vulnerable to attacks
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of decrypting data before processing (traditional approach), the patent inverts the sequence by processing encrypted data directly. The arithmetic logic unit performs computations on ciphertext without decryption, generating encrypted results that maintain security throughout the distributed computing process, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a specially designed arithmetic logic unit that can operate on encrypted data. This intermediary component enables processing of sensitive information without exposing it to plaintext vulnerabilities, allowing distributed computing to proceed while maintaining data security through cryptographic operations
2Reliability
If processors include decryption and encryption modules, then encrypted data can be processed, but the processor remains vulnerable to expert attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cryptographic operations from traditional encryption/decryption modules and integrates them directly into the arithmetic logic unit's core operations. By taking out the separate encryption/decryption components and embedding cryptographic functionality within the ALU's fundamental arithmetic operations, the system processes encrypted data natively without requiring vulnerable decryption steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of decrypt-then-process-then-encrypt with a cryptographic system where arithmetic operations on encrypted data directly produce encrypted results. This substitution eliminates the need for decryption modules entirely, replacing the traditional mechanical encryption/decryption workflow with mathematical operations that preserve confidentiality throughout processing
3Reliability
If an arithmetic logic unit processes encrypted data without decryption, then data security is maintained, but the processor requires specialized architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the arithmetic logic unit universal by designing it to handle both encrypted and unencrypted data through the same operational mechanisms. The ALU performs arithmetic and logical operations that work identically whether the input data is plaintext or ciphertext, eliminating the need for separate processing paths and reducing overall system complexity despite the specialized security requirements
Data Source
AI summary
The technology includes processes, computer program products, and systems for encrypted data processing. In a system of the technology, an arithmetic logic unit is arranged to receive encrypted data presented at said inputs, generate encrypted data based upon data presented at said inputs and provide said generated encrypted data to said output. The arithmetic logic unit performs operations on encrypted data and the processor does not require encryption or decryption to be carried out within it.