Encryption Key Rotation Without Application Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing encryption key management systems require software applications to be shut down for key replacement, as they can only use one key at a time, leading to disruptions in service during key rotation processes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows concurrent use of multiple encryption keys by storing an encryption key identifier with each data element, enabling the substitution of fresh keys for expiring ones without application outages, using a secure keystore to manage and rotate encryption keys efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single encryption key is used for data protection, then data security is maintained, but service disruption occurs during key rotation requiring application shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the encryption key management by separating the key identifier (stored with data) from the actual encryption key (stored securely). This allows multiple keys to coexist without requiring application shutdown during rotation, as the application can switch between keys by retrieving different key identifiers from the secure storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces secure storage as an intermediary component that manages multiple encryption keys. The secure storage acts as a mediator between the application and encryption keys, allowing the application to rotate keys without direct manipulation of multiple keys simultaneously, thus maintaining service availability while ensuring data security.
2Productivity
If multiple encryption keys are supported concurrently, then key rotation can occur without outages, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of managing multiple encryption keys from the application logic and places it in a dedicated secure storage component. The application only needs to interact with key identifiers rather than managing the actual keys, significantly reducing application complexity while enabling concurrent support for multiple keys.
Solution Approach 2:
The secure storage component provides self-service functionality by automatically managing the retrieval and rotation of encryption keys based on key identifiers. This eliminates the need for complex application-level key management logic, as the secure storage handles key lifecycle operations autonomously.
Data Source
AI summary
The system may comprise receiving a data element, and receiving an encryption key and an associated encryption key identifier from an encryption keystore database. The system may further comprise transmitting the data element to an encryption module for encryption using the encryption key to form an encrypted data element. The system may also comprise receiving the encrypted data element from the encryption module and concatenating the encryption key identifier with the encrypted data element to form a protected data field entry.