Encrypted Content Key Attachment for Secure Build Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional content distribution networks (CDNs) face security vulnerabilities due to the use of a single key pair for encryption, with a central repository becoming a focal point for attackers, compromising data security.
Innovation Solution
Encrypt content using a content-encryption key, attach the encrypted key to the content as metadata, and include an identifier for the key-encryption key in the filename, allowing authorized recipients to retrieve and decrypt the content without a central repository for tracking associations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a central repository is used to store and manage encryption key pairs, then key management is simplified and centralized, but security is compromised as the repository becomes a focal point for attackers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized key management into distributed key pairs. Each content item has its own unique key pair, eliminating a single central repository. The content owner's key pair is separate from distributor key pairs, and each distributor has its own key pair for encrypting content keys. This segmentation distributes security responsibility across multiple independent key pairs rather than concentrating it in one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces key-encryption keys as intermediaries between content owners and distributors. Instead of content owners directly managing all encryption keys, they use key-encryption keys to encrypt content keys, which are then distributed to content distributors. This intermediary layer isolates the content owner's private key from direct exposure to distributors and attackers.
2Device complexity
If a single key pair is used for all encryption needs, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability is limited and security is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments encryption into multiple independent key pairs: content owner key pairs, distributor key pairs, and key-encryption keys. Each segment can be independently managed, rotated, and compromised without affecting others. This segmentation enables fine-grained control over encryption and decryption operations for different content and distributors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested key encryption structure where key-encryption keys encrypt content keys, which in turn encrypt content data. This nested arrangement allows hierarchical management of encryption keys, with outer layers protecting inner layers. The key-encryption key layer protects multiple content keys, creating a nested security architecture that enhances both flexibility and security.
Data Source
AI summary
In various examples, an encrypted file such as one representing an encrypted game build may be distributed with an encrypted content-encryption key that was used to encrypt the file and/or an identifier associated with a key-encryption key that was used to encrypt the content-encryption key. An authorized recipient may extract the encrypted content-encryption key and the identifier from the encrypted file, use the identifier to retrieve a corresponding key-encryption key, use the key-encryption key to decrypt the encrypted content-encryption key, and use the decrypted content-encryption key to decrypt the file. Taking an encrypted game build for cloud gaming as an example, a cloud gaming platform may decrypt, attach, and mount the build (e.g., as a block device or other virtual data disk) using the decrypted content-encryption key. Accordingly, the game build may be installed and executed without the need to distribute the game build to the end user.