Multi-Level Tagged Encrypted Cookie Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current encryption techniques for HTTP cookies provide minimal security and are inefficient, as they lack fine-grained control and often apply the same encryption methods to all cookies, leading to security risks and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multi-level tagging of encrypted items, allowing for per-profile encryption options, using a common key for cookies and storing session cookies separately to enhance security and efficiency, with customizable flags and internal checks to manage encryption and decryption processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the same encryption techniques are applied to all cookies, then security coverage is improved, but system efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary encryption of all cookies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity coverageVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments cookies into different categories (session cookies, persistent cookies, secure cookies, non-secure cookies) and applies encryption selectively based on cookie attributes and security requirements. This allows the system to encrypt only necessary cookies rather than all cookies, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive security coverage and system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements differential encryption policies where different encryption techniques and strength are applied to different cookies based on their specific characteristics and security needs. Session cookies receive different treatment than persistent cookies, and secure cookies receive enhanced encryption compared to non-secure cookies, optimizing both security and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If encryption is applied to all cookies, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to managing encryption for every cookie type

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidencryption management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal encryption management system that handles multiple cookie types (session, persistent, secure, non-secure) through a unified framework. The system automatically determines which cookies require encryption based on predefined criteria and applies appropriate encryption methods, reducing the complexity of managing encryption across diverse cookie types while maintaining comprehensive security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If all cookie values are decrypted to determine encryption status, then accuracy is improved, but processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencryption status determination accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary tagging of cookies with encryption status indicators before they are transmitted. The device adds metadata tags to cookies indicating their encryption status, allowing the receiving device to determine encryption status instantly without decrypting the cookie values. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction between accurate encryption status determination and processing time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If per-profile encryption options are implemented, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple encryption configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencryption configuration flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic encryption configuration where encryption policies can be adjusted per profile (e.g., development, testing, production environments). The system automatically selects appropriate encryption settings based on the active profile, providing adaptability across different use cases while simplifying configuration management through automated profile-based policy selection rather than manual configuration of each setting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2659650B1Systems and methods for multi-level tagging of encrypted items for additional security and efficient encrypted item determination
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 CITRIX SYSTEMS INC
  • EP2659650B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2659650B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2659650B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for performing multi¬ level tagging of encrypted items for additional security and efficient encrypted item determination. A device intercepts a message from a server to a client, parses the message and identifies a cookie. The device processes and encrypts the cookie. The device adds a flag to the cookie indicating the device encrypted the cookie. The device re-inserts the modified cookie into the message and transmits the message. The device intercepts a message from a client and determines whether the cookie in the message was encrypted by the device. If the message was not encrypted by the device, the device transmits the message to its destination. If the message was encrypted by the device, the device removes the flag, decrypts the cookie, removes the tag from the cookie, re-inserts the cookie into the message and transmits the message to its final destination.