Data Encryption Segmentation Rolling Lock Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data encryption technologies face challenges in allowing access to data during the encryption process, leading to limited access and potential incomplete encryption due to restricted read/write capabilities, which can result in downtime and ensure that all intended data is encrypted.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that locks specific data segments during encryption, allowing partial access to other segments, and using a 'rolling lock' approach to ensure all data is encrypted without denying access entirely, while maintaining a list to track encryption status and re-encrypting as necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If access to data is limited or suspended during encryption process, then encryption security is improved, but data availability and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencryption securityVSAvoiddata availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the data storage device into multiple data segments and encrypts them individually rather than locking the entire device. This segmentation allows the encryption process to proceed on specific segments while other segments remain accessible, resolving the contradiction between security and availability by applying encryption controls at a granular level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic access control where the ability to read and write data changes over time during the encryption process. Different data segments are locked and unlocked at different times based on the encryption progress, allowing the system to adapt between security requirements and data availability needs throughout the encryption lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If access to data is provided during encryption process, then data availability is improved, but encryption completeness and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidencryption completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting data into multiple portions and encrypting them sequentially or in parallel batches, the system can maintain encryption integrity for each segment while allowing access to other segments. This ensures that encryption completeness is maintained for accessed data while overall data availability is preserved through partial access to non-encrypted segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a list data structure to track the encryption status of each data segment. This feedback mechanism monitors which segments have been encrypted and which remain accessible, allowing the system to make informed decisions about access control and encryption progress, ensuring that encryption completeness is maintained while managing data availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If entire data storage device is locked for encryption, then encryption security is improved, but downtime and loss of time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencryption securityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data storage device into multiple encryptable data segments and processing them individually. This allows the encryption operation to proceed incrementally across segments rather than requiring a complete device lock, significantly reducing the total downtime while maintaining security through systematic encryption of each segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares for encryption by creating a list of data segments to be encrypted before the actual encryption process begins. This preliminary organization allows for efficient planning and execution of the encryption process, minimizing disruption time by pre-identifying which segments need to be locked and for how long, thereby reducing overall downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7730327B2Managing the encryption of data
Publication Date: 2010.06.01 NETAPP INC
  • US7730327B2 patent drawing
  • US7730327B2 patent drawing
  • US7730327B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments of methods, devices and/or systems for managing the encryption of data are described.