Format-Preserving Encryption for Insurance Data Scrubbing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for scrubbing confidential insurance account data are slow and often produce duplicate entries, hindering the development of tools and services by insurance providers.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system using a scrubbing algorithm, such as a Feistel cipher, to transform confidential data into unique values while preserving the original format, ensuring no duplicate entries in the scrubbed database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If past scrubbing systems are used to handle large volumes of insurance account data, then the task of scrubbing confidential data can be performed, but the processing speed is slow and cannot handle the volume of records efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the scrubbing approach by changing parameters including using format-preserving encryption algorithms that maintain data structure while removing confidentiality, implementing parallel processing capabilities, and optimizing the transformation process to handle large volumes of insurance account data efficiently without sacrificing security
2Reliability
If traditional scrubbing methods are used, then confidential data can be removed, but duplicate entries are generated which cause unexpected problems in tool development
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a faithful copy of the original database structure and relationships while transforming the actual data values through encryption. The format-preserving encryption ensures that the scrubbed database maintains the same schema, data types, and relational structure as the original, allowing tools to be developed and tested without encountering duplicate or malformed entries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical scrubbing methods that randomly mask or delete data with a cryptographic substitution approach. Format-preserving encryption algorithms systematically transform each data value while preserving its format constraints, ensuring uniqueness and eliminating the harmful duplicate entries that plague traditional scrubbing systems
3Ease of manufacture
If confidential insurance account data is shared with third-party developers for tool development, then accurate testing can be performed, but the confidentiality and security of sensitive information is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a scrubbed database as an intermediary between the confidential original database and the third-party development environment. This intermediary contains format-preserving encrypted data that maintains all structural properties needed for tool development and testing while completely preventing exposure of actual confidential information such as social security numbers, policy numbers, and personal identifiers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a complete functional copy of the production database environment that can be safely shared with developers. The copy preserves all data relationships, formats, and constraints necessary for accurate tool development and testing, while the encrypted data values ensure that no sensitive information is exposed to third parties
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for scrubbing confidential insurance account information are provided. According to embodiments, a scrubbing server can receive a request to scrub confidential insurance data that includes the contents of an insurance account information database and an indication of the category of confidential data stored in the database. The scrubbing server can scrub the valid data contained in the received database, replacing confidential information with “scrambled” data that is not confidential. The scrubbing server can transmit the contents of the scrubbed database back to the requesting party.