Encryption Service Module for Transparent Key Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous data encrypting systems require processes to explicitly specify cryptographic keys and algorithms during encryption and decryption operations, leading to inefficiencies and resource-intensive modifications when key rollovers or security policy changes occur, resulting in potential data security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
An encryption service module that automatically retrieves and uses current cryptographic keys and algorithms from a key store for encryption and decryption operations, storing encrypted data objects with key identifiers, allowing seamless transitions during key changes and policy updates without requiring process modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If processes explicitly specify cryptographic keys and algorithms during encryption operations, then control and flexibility are improved, but device complexity and resource-intensive modifications increase when key rollovers occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an encryption service module as an intermediary between consumer processes and cryptographic keys. This module automatically retrieves current keys from a key store and manages key rollovers, shielding consumer processes from key management complexity while maintaining cryptographic control and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption service module implements self-service by automatically monitoring for key rollovers and retrieving new keys from the key store without requiring process modifications. The module autonomously manages cryptographic key updates, eliminating the need for manual process changes during key transitions.
2Reliability
If processes are modified to use new cryptographic keys, then data security is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease due to resource-intensive modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the encryption service module and key store infrastructure before key rollovers occur. This preparation enables automatic key retrieval and application during rollovers, ensuring data security without requiring time-consuming process modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption service module acts as an intermediary that handles all key management operations, including automatic retrieval of new keys during rollovers. Consumer processes simply interact with the module without needing modification, thereby maintaining data security while eliminating time losses associated with process changes.
3Ease of operation
If cryptographic keys are automatically retrieved from key store, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional key management infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges key retrieval, key selection, and encryption operations into a single encryption service module. This consolidation simplifies the user experience by providing automatic key management while organizing the infrastructure complexity within a unified module rather than分散 across multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption service module serves as an intermediary layer that abstracts key management complexity from consumer processes. While the module itself contains the necessary infrastructure for automatic key retrieval and management, consumer processes experience simplified operation without directly interacting with the underlying complexity.
4Measurement precision
If key rollovers are handled manually in processes, then measurement precision of key usage is improved, but productivity decreases due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption service module implements self-service by automatically detecting key rollovers, retrieving new keys from the key store, and applying them to encryption operations. This automation maintains precise tracking of key usage while eliminating manual intervention, thereby preserving measurement precision while significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The module implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring the key store for rollover events and automatically responding with key retrieval and application. This closed-loop feedback system ensures accurate tracking of key usage while operating autonomously, maintaining precision without requiring manual processes that would reduce productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
In response to determining that an encryption operation request includes no indication of a cryptographic key, an encryption service module performs an encryption operation using a current cryptographic key retrieved by the encryption service module, and creates and stores an encrypted data object that includes the resulting ciphertext and a key identifier that uniquely identifies the cryptographic key and the associated cryptographic algorithm used to perform the encryption. A subsequent decryption operation request to the encryption service module that indicates the encrypted data object is processed by retrieving the cryptographic key and identifying the associated cryptographic using the key identifier contained in the encrypted data object. The encrypted data object may also include an initialization vector used to generate the ciphertext contained in the encrypted data object, as well as an integrity check value generated across the ciphertext and initialization vector.