FPGA Partitioned Segments for Zero Trust Data Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data encryption methods are vulnerable to advanced computing power and quantum algorithms, making them susceptible to breaches, and traditional computing devices have unsecured access points that can compromise data security.
Innovation Solution
The use of programmable integrated circuits, such as FPGAs, with partitioned segments that can convert data between untranslated and translated states, ensuring secure data storage and transfer by requiring authentication and limiting access to authorized users, thereby preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional encryption methods are used to protect data, then data security is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to quantum attacks and advanced computing power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional software-based encryption mechanisms with hardware-based cryptographic operations implemented in FPGAs. This substitution moves cryptographic functions from the software layer to the hardware layer, creating a more secure system that is resistant to quantum attacks and advanced computing power by leveraging the inherent security properties of hardware implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an FPGA-based cryptographic intermediary layer between the data storage medium and the processing system. This intermediary performs cryptographic operations (encryption, decryption, authentication) in hardware, mediating all data access requests and providing security against quantum attacks without requiring changes to the underlying storage or processing systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If encryption keys are shared across multiple customers to enable broad data protection, then the scope of security coverage is improved, but the risk of widespread compromise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cryptographic system into multiple independent FPGA instances, each with its own unique cryptographic keys and security credentials stored in secure memory. This segmentation allows multiple customers to have isolated cryptographic environments, where a compromise of one customer's keys does not affect others, thus maintaining broad security coverage while minimizing the impact of any single compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing each customer with customized cryptographic parameters, keys, and security policies tailored to their specific requirements. Each FPGA instance is configured with unique security attributes, allowing the system to provide differentiated security levels and key management strategies for different customers, thereby reducing the propagation of compromises.
3Ease of operation
If conventional login sessions are implemented after operating system boot, then system startup simplicity is improved, but security is worsened due to unsecured access points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing cryptographic authentication and establishing secure sessions before the operating system boots. The FPGA-based cryptographic system is initialized during hardware startup, and user authentication occurs in the pre-boot environment, creating secured access points before the potentially vulnerable OS loading process begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional software-based login mechanism with a hardware-based cryptographic authentication system that operates during the boot process. This substitution ensures that security credentials are verified in hardware before the OS loads, preventing unauthorized access during the vulnerable window between power-on and user login.
4Speed
If data is stored in translated state for easy access, then retrieval speed is improved, but security is worsened as data becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the cryptographic parameters (encryption keys, authentication credentials) based on the authentication state of the user. When authenticated, the FPGA hardware provides rapid decryption and data retrieval; when unauthenticated, the same hardware enforces cryptographic protection. This parameter change allows the system to switch between high-speed access and strong security without compromising either function.
Data Source
AI summary
Generally, systems and methods for securely establishing data transfer, storage, and execution are presented. The system may comprise a computing device that comprises at least one programmable integrated circuit. The programmable integrated circuit may comprise multiple independently loadable partitioned segments. A first partitioned segment of the programmable integrated circuit may comprise one or more factory-installed secrets in the form of data, wherein the factory-installed secrets may be configured to convert data from an untranslated state to a translated state, and vice versa. A second partitioned segment may comprise storage-at-rest data for at least one authenticable user of the computing device. The computing device may comprise at least one storage medium that comprises data, including data comprising one or more boot instructions for the computing device, that may be in an untranslated state. Therefore, the computer is not a computer, until it acquires a trusting user's authentication, thereby unlocking its commands.