Ephemeral Device Transfer Token for Secure Cloud Ownership
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security methods for transferring device ownership in cloud computing environments are insecure, as they rely on user authentication and device attributes that can be spoofed or compromised, making it difficult to manage ownership changes between entities in a secure and reliable manner.
Innovation Solution
The use of an elliptic-curve Diffie-Hellman cryptographic function to generate ephemeral device transfer tokens, which are valid for a limited time, allows secure transfer of ownership by modifying device ownership records upon receipt of these tokens, ensuring only authorized transfers occur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user authentication and device attributes are used for ownership transfer, then the transfer process is simple and easy to operate, but the security is compromised because these methods can be spoofed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism using cryptographic tokens and trusted authority verification. Instead of directly relying on user-provided credentials that can be spoofed, the system uses an intermediary verification process where a trusted authority generates cryptographic proofs that mediate between the user and the ownership transfer system, ensuring security without complicating the user interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/authentication-based system (usernames, passwords, device attributes) with a cryptographic system based on mathematical proofs. The authentication mechanism is substituted from checking user-provided credentials to verifying cryptographic signatures and token validity, which cannot be spoofed if implemented correctly
2Reliability
If cryptographic token verification is implemented, then security and reliability of ownership transfer are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication process into distinct modular components: token generation by the trusted authority, token transmission through the interface, token verification by the ownership transfer system, and ownership record updating. Each component handles a specific aspect of the cryptographic verification, making the overall complex system manageable through clear separation of concerns
Solution Approach 2:
The cryptographic system is designed to be self-verifying through mathematical proofs. The tokens contain embedded cryptographic evidence that automatically proves authenticity without requiring manual verification steps. The system serves itself by using cryptographic mathematics to inherently validate authentication, reducing the need for complex manual security procedures
Data Source
AI summary
One or more device(s) is identified for which ownership of the device(s) is to be transferred from an identified transferor system to an identified transferee system. An ephemeral device transfer token is generated for the transferor using an elliptic-curve Diffie-Hellman cryptographic function, wherein the ephemeral device transfer token is only valid over a limited period of time to authorize a transfer of ownership of the device from the transferor to the transferee. The transferor then delivers the ephemeral device transfer token to the transferee. A device ownership record may be modified to transfer ownership of the device from the transferor to the transferee in response to receiving the ephemeral device transfer token from the transferee during the limited time period.