Hardware Security Module Heartbeat Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hardware security modules lack a secure method to grant and revoke access to secure data, as users cannot easily retract access credentials from service providers without physical access, leading to potential exposure and vulnerability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a heartbeat restriction mechanism where access credentials are valid only if periodically refreshed with a timestamped and signed heartbeat message, allowing for immediate revocation if no valid heartbeat is received within a predefined time, thereby ensuring secure and temporary access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If access credentials are provided to service provider for using hardware security module, then service provider can access secure data, but user cannot revoke credentials without physical access to hardware security device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a heartbeat mechanism where the service provider must periodically send authenticated heartbeat messages to the hardware security module to maintain access credentials. If heartbeats are not received within a threshold time period, the credentials automatically expire and are revoked. This periodic action enables remote revocation of access without physical access to the device.
2Reliability
If short-lived credentials are used for accessing hardware security module, then security risk is reduced, but credentials must be continually sent by user which is inconvenient and adds exposure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the hardware security module to automatically manage credential validity periods through the heartbeat mechanism. The module tracks heartbeat timestamps and automatically determines when credentials should expire, eliminating the need for users to manually renew short-lived credentials while maintaining security through time-limited access.
3Ease of operation
If access credentials have extended validity period, then user convenience is improved, but security vulnerability increases if credentials are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes credential validity dynamic rather than static. Credentials remain valid for extended periods as long as periodic heartbeats are received, but can be immediately revoked if heartbeats stop. This dynamic validity period provides both convenience (credentials don't expire quickly) and security (immediate revocation capability if compromised).
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and processes are described for implementing an access heartbeat role on a hardware security module (HSM) that stores secure data on behalf of a secure data owner. Heartbeat and access credentials are established and distributed by the HSM. Access to the secure data is prevented unless the HSM receives valid heartbeats prior to a time expiration along with a valid access request. Generally, heartbeats are signed messages and include heartbeat credentials. Access requests may also be signed messages and include access credentials. The access credentials may be suspended, revoked or the entire HSM may be zeroized (e.g., plaintext keys erased), dependent upon a failure to receive valid heartbeats in a timely fashion. Heartbeats may be required from multiple entities, in some embodiments. Some example configurable features include heartbeat expiration time, the source of the credentials, the access denial options, and how many sources of distinct heartbeats are required.