Encrypted Virtual Hard Disk Volume Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual hard disk file formats are unencrypted, making the content accessible to anyone and posing a security threat, thus requiring a method to create an encrypted virtual hard disk.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for encrypting a virtual hard disk by creating a volume of data, encrypting it using a predetermined algorithm, storing encryption metadata, authenticating and decrypting the data using an encryption password, and mounting the encrypted volume onto the virtual hard disk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If virtual hard disk uses unencrypted file format, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of virtual hard disk contentVSAvoidsecurity threat to content

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by encrypting the virtual hard disk content before it is accessed or mounted. The encryption process is performed in advance on the volume of data, and encryption metadata is stored beforehand. When access is needed, the pre-stored encryption metadata enables quick authentication and decryption without compromising security, thus maintaining ease of operation while preventing unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If encryption is implemented on virtual hard disk, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of contentVSAvoidcomplexity of encryption process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the encryption functionality into a separate, modular component. The encryption process is implemented as a distinct module that operates independently on the virtual hard disk volume. This modular approach allows the encryption logic to be managed separately from the core virtual hard disk operations, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining comprehensive security protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces encryption metadata as an intermediary element between the encrypted content and the access control mechanism. This metadata contains authentication information that mediates between the encrypted data and the user's access requests. By using this intermediary, the system simplifies the authentication process while maintaining strong encryption, as the metadata handles the complex verification logic without requiring users to directly interact with cryptographic operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If encryption metadata is stored in volume of data, then authentication capability is improved, but storage efficiency is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication of encryption passwordVSAvoidstorage space consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by storing encryption metadata locally within the volume of data at specific, strategically chosen locations. Rather than adding a separate global overhead structure, the encryption metadata is embedded directly into the data volume where it is needed. This approach provides authentication capability at the local level without significantly increasing overall storage consumption, as the metadata is integrated efficiently into the existing data structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9182982B1Techniques for creating an encrypted virtual hard disk

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 CA TECH INC

AI summary

Techniques for creating an encrypted hard disk are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for encrypting a virtual hard disk comprising creating a volume of data for the virtual hard disk and encrypting the volume of data using a predetermined encryption algorithm. The method may also comprise mounting, via at least one computer processor, the encrypted volume of data onto the virtual hard disk.