Encrypted Message Distribution List Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to efficiently send encrypted messages to a distribution list as they require certificates for each individual, and if not all members have a valid certificate, the message cannot be sent to only those who can decrypt it, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method that identifies distribution list members, checks for available public keys on the device, encrypts the message only for those with a valid key, and sends it to them directly, while omitting those without a valid key to prevent decryption issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the message is encrypted to all addresses of a distribution list, then confidentiality is maintained for recipients with valid certificates, but the message cannot be delivered to recipients without valid certificates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the distribution list into two groups: recipients with valid certificates and recipients without valid certificates. It then creates separate message instances for each group, encrypting only the subset of messages intended for recipients with valid certificates. This segmentation allows the system to maintain confidentiality for those who can decrypt while still delivering messages to those who cannot, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to encrypt messages to all distribution list members (excessive action), the system performs partial encryption only for the subset of recipients who have valid certificates. This partial action approach ensures that messages are delivered to as many recipients as possible without requiring universal certificate availability, thereby improving both delivery reliability and system adaptability.
2Productivity
If the message is sent unencrypted to all distribution list addresses, then delivery is ensured to all recipients, but confidentiality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the message delivery process into two distinct paths: an encrypted path for recipients with valid certificates and an unencrypted path for recipients without valid certificates. By segmenting the recipient base and applying different encryption treatments, the system maintains confidentiality where possible while ensuring delivery to all recipients, thus balancing productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by differentiating the encryption property based on the specific recipient. Instead of applying a uniform encryption property to all messages, it locally adapts the encryption property: encrypted for some recipients and unencrypted for others, depending on their certificate status. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain confidentiality where needed while ensuring delivery elsewhere.
3Reliability
If the message is not sent at all, then confidentiality is preserved, but message delivery is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of taking no action at all (not sending the message), the system performs partial action by sending encrypted messages to the subset of recipients who can decrypt them. This partial action approach preserves confidentiality for those who need it while still achieving message delivery to some recipients, thereby improving both reliability and productivity compared to sending nothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the subset of recipients with valid certificates from the complete distribution list and sends encrypted messages only to this extracted subset. By taking out and separately handling the recipients who can decrypt, the system preserves confidentiality for them while still enabling delivery to the broader audience, resolving the contradiction between maintaining confidentiality and achieving delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for sending encrypted messages to a distribution list that facilitates the sending of such messages only to individuals or other entities associated with the distribution list that will be able to read the message. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: identifying a distribution list address in a message; determining one or more member addresses associated with the distribution list address; for each member address, determining if a public key for a member identified by the respective member address is available on the computing device; encrypting the message to each member identified by the one or more member addresses for which a public key for the respective member is available on the computing device; sending the encrypted message to the distribution list address if each of the one or more member addresses associated with the distribution list identifies a member for which a public key is available on the computing device; and sending the message to each of the one or more member addresses that identifies a member for which a public key is available on the computing device otherwise.