Encryption Key Management via Environmental Scrambling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing key management systems are vulnerable to unauthorized access, as encryption keys can be compromised if obtained by network intruders, especially when stored on accessible computers or networks.

Innovation Solution

The system employs environmental conditions to scramble and descramble encryption keys, ensuring that only authorized devices, paired through interactions like touch or code input, can access and use the keys for cryptographic procedures, thereby securing key management by distributing key parts across devices and using environmental parameters for secure transmission and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If encryption keys are stored on accessible computers or networks for easy retrieval, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened as keys become vulnerable to network intruders

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of key retrievalVSAvoidsecurity of key storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The encryption key is divided into multiple parts and distributed across different devices. Each device stores only a portion of the key, making it impossible for any single device or network intruder to obtain the complete key. The key parts are scattered across the network in an encrypted and scrambled form, resolving the contradiction by enabling easy retrieval through distributed access while maintaining security through fragmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The key is scrambled using environmental parameters (such as device identifiers, location data, or other contextual information) before storage. This transformation changes the key from a static, easily accessible value to a dynamic, context-dependent value that requires specific environmental conditions to unscramble. This resolves the contradiction by making the key easily retrievable in its scrambled form while maintaining security through parameter-based obfuscation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If encryption keys are distributed by hand using trusted persons or stored in secure premises, then security is improved, but ease of operation is worsened due to complex key management procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of key distributionVSAvoidcomplexity of key management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manual key distribution process (hand delivery by trusted persons or physical storage in secure premises) is replaced with an automated electronic system. The key parts are distributed digitally across multiple devices through secure communication channels, and the scrambling/unscrambling process is automated using environmental parameters. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining high security through distributed storage while dramatically reducing operational complexity through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically performs key distribution and management tasks without requiring manual intervention. Devices autonomously receive their key portions, store them in scrambled form, and manage their own key segments. The environmental parameters automatically unscramble the key when needed. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining security through distributed architecture while eliminating the operational complexity of manual key management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the complete key is transmitted over networks for cryptographic procedures, then productivity is improved through fast access, but security is worsened as the key becomes exposed to network intruders

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of key accessVSAvoidsecurity during transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of transmitting the complete key over the network, the key is segmented into multiple parts that are distributed across different devices. Each device holds only a portion of the key in scrambled form. When cryptographic procedures are needed, the key parts are locally unscrambled using environmental parameters without requiring network transmission of the complete key. This resolves the contradiction by enabling fast local access through distributed storage while maintaining security through fragmentation and obfuscation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The key is transformed into a scrambled form using environmental parameters before distribution and storage. This parameter-based transformation allows the key to be quickly accessed and unscrambled locally without network transmission. The environmental parameters (such as device-specific data or contextual information) enable rapid key reconstruction at the point of use, resolving the contradiction by providing fast productivity-enhancing access while maintaining security through parameter-based obfuscation that prevents network interception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10574441B2Management of cryptographic keys
Publication Date: 2020.02.25 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • US10574441B2 patent drawing
  • US10574441B2 patent drawing
  • US10574441B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus (110) comprising a receiver (114) configured to receive at least part of a key in scrambled form, and at least one processing core configured to descramble the at least part of the key and to apply the key in a cryptographic procedure, the descrambling being based at least in part on at least one environmental condition.