Encrypted NVMe Telemetry Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Storage systems face challenges in securely sharing telemetry data among multiple parties, as existing security measures may not adequately protect proprietary configuration or usage data, leading to potential exposure of sensitive information.

Innovation Solution

A system employing multi-layer encryption for telemetry data, where a first encryption key is encrypted using a second key, and both are included in a telemetry message, allowing authorized clients to decrypt the keys and data using public-private key pairs, ensuring secure access and protection of sensitive information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If telemetry data is transmitted in plaintext or with basic encryption, then data accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but security and data protection are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The encryption system is segmented into multiple layers: an outer encryption layer using a first encryption key and an inner encryption layer using a second encryption key. This multi-layer segmentation allows authorized parties to systematically decrypt data while maintaining strong security protection against unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a temporal dimension to encryption key usage by implementing key rotation mechanisms where encryption keys are changed over time. This adds a time-based dimension to the encryption system, enhancing security while maintaining data accessibility for authorized parties with current keys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If multi-layer encryption is implemented for telemetry data, then data security and protection are improved, but system complexity and device complexity are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidencryption system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The encryption system uses a nested structure where the first encryption key encrypts the telemetry data, and the second encryption key encrypts the first encryption key. This nested doll approach allows layered security while maintaining a manageable system structure where each layer builds upon the previous one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces key management intermediaries that facilitate the exchange and management of encryption keys between storage devices and client systems. These intermediaries simplify the complex key distribution and management processes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining multi-layer encryption security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If encryption keys are rotated frequently for enhanced security, then data protection is improved, but processing time and loss of time are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata protectionVSAvoidkey rotation processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Encryption keys are generated and prepared in advance before they are needed for data encryption. This preliminary action allows the system to have ready-to-use encryption keys, reducing the time required for key rotation and generation while maintaining frequent key changes for enhanced security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic key rotation at predetermined intervals or after a specified number of encryption operations. This periodic approach balances security requirements with processing efficiency, ensuring keys are rotated frequently enough to maintain security while avoiding excessive rotation that would increase processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11616767B2Storage system with encrypted data storage device telemetry data
Publication Date: 2023.03.28 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • US11616767B2 patent drawing
  • US11616767B2 patent drawing
  • US11616767B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for encrypted storage device telemetry data are described. Storage device telemetry data may be collected for a telemetry message, such as a non-volatile memory express (NVMe) telemetry command, and encrypted using a first encryption key. The first encryption key may be encrypted using one or multiple second encryption keys and the encrypted first encryption key may be added to the telemetry message. A client system may receive the telemetry message, decrypt the encrypted first encryption key, and use the first encryption key to decrypt the encrypted storage device telemetry data.