HSM Cluster Key Synchronization via Encrypted Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Synchronizing cryptographic keys across multiple Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) in large-scale computing environments is challenging due to security features that make it difficult to transfer information directly in an unencrypted form, leading to performance issues and reliability concerns in distributed computing environments.
Innovation Solution
A system is developed that forms an HSM cluster, where each HSM is connected to an HSM cluster server, enabling the replication and synchronization of cryptographic keys across multiple HSMs through an encrypted communication channel, maintaining key synchronization by coordinating key addition, deletion, and modification operations, and restoring synchronization when lost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If cryptographic keys are transferred directly between HSMs in unencrypted form, then synchronization speed improves, but security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A cluster server acts as an intermediary between HSMs, receiving encrypted key material from one HSM and distributing it to others. The server mediates the key synchronization process, allowing keys to be synchronized across the cluster without direct unencrypted transfers between HSMs, thus maintaining security while enabling synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the encryption parameter by using different encryption keys for different communication channels. Cluster servers use specific encryption keys to encrypt key material before transmission, and HSMs use their own unique keys to decrypt and verify the key material, transforming the security parameter to enable safe key distribution.
2Productivity
If multiple HSMs are used to handle cryptographic operations, then processing capacity improves, but key synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the key management responsibilities by assigning a master HSM to create and manage key material, while other HSMs receive and store copies. The cluster server segments the coordination task by individually managing communications with each HSM, dividing the complex synchronization problem into manageable one-to-one interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cluster server provides universal functionality by handling multiple tasks: receiving key material from any HSM, encrypting it with appropriate keys, distributing it to all other HSMs, and managing the synchronization state. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall system by centralizing coordination logic.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cryptographic keys are stored in tamper-resistant HSMs, then security improves, but key exportability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of exporting the actual cryptographic keys from HSMs, the system creates and distributes encrypted copies of key material. The master HSM generates key material that is then copied and distributed to other HSMs in encrypted form. Each HSM stores its copy locally, enabling synchronization without requiring key export capability from individual HSMs.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of cryptographic keys are synchronized across a set of HSMs that are configured in an HSM cluster. The set of cryptographic keys is maintained in a synchronized state by HSM cluster clients running on client computer systems with corresponding client applications. If the HSM cluster becomes unsynchronized, an HSM cluster client attempts to lock the HSM cluster and reestablish synchronization of the cryptographic keys across the HSM cluster. HSMs within the HSM cluster are able to establish an encrypted communication channel to other HSMs without revealing the contents of their communications to their respective host computer systems. Individual HSMs in the HSM cluster may include features that assist the HSM cluster client in determining whether each HSM is up-to-date, identifying particular keys that are not up-to-date, and copying keys from one HSM to another HSM within the HSM cluster.