Hardware Security Module Key Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) are expensive, complex to implement and use, and inefficient in memory storage due to their high security features, requiring cryptographic programming knowledge and being limited to specific applications, making them unsuitable for organizations with varying needs and resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows HSMs to be shared across systems and applications via cloud services and virtualization, using application programming interfaces (APIs) to manage encryption and decryption processes, and storing master keys to wrap and secure multiple encryption keys, enabling efficient memory usage and access without direct cryptographic programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HSMs are used to securely store encryption keys, then security is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments encryption keys into two types: master keys stored securely in HSMs and wrapped encryption keys stored outside HSMs. This segmentation allows the HSM to store only essential master keys rather than all encryption keys, reducing the complexity and cost of HSM deployment while maintaining security through the wrapping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wrapped encryption keys as an intermediary between the HSM and the data being encrypted. These wrapped keys act as a buffer that allows secure key management without requiring all keys to be stored in the expensive HSM, thus reducing device complexity while preserving security.
2Reliability
If HSMs store all encryption keys, then security is improved, but memory storage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts wrapped encryption keys from the HSM storage and stores them outside the HSM. Only master keys remain in the HSM, significantly reducing the quantity of data stored in the expensive HSM memory while maintaining security through the wrapping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Encryption keys are segmented into master keys (stored in HSM) and wrapped encryption keys (stored outside HSM). This segmentation optimizes memory usage by placing only essential keys in the limited HSM storage while keeping less critical wrapped keys in more abundant external storage.
3Reliability
If dedicated HSMs are assigned to specific applications, then security is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The HSM is designed to serve multiple applications and systems simultaneously by storing master keys that can wrap encryption keys for different purposes. This universal approach allows a single HSM to support diverse applications without requiring dedicated HSMs for each, improving adaptability while maintaining security through consistent master key management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically allocates wrapped encryption keys to different applications as needed, rather than statically assigning dedicated HSMs. This dynamic approach allows the HSM resources to be flexibly utilized across multiple applications, improving adaptability while maintaining security through the wrapping mechanism.
4Reliability
If cryptographic programming knowledge is required to use HSMs, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where wrapped encryption keys are automatically generated, wrapped, and managed without requiring users to have cryptographic programming knowledge. The HSM and surrounding infrastructure handle the complex cryptographic operations automatically, allowing users to benefit from secure key management without needing to understand the underlying cryptography.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapped encryption key mechanism serves as an intermediary that abstracts away the complexity of cryptographic operations from users. Users work with wrapped keys through simple interfaces without needing to understand the cryptographic wrapping process, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining security through the underlying cryptographic mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) may be utilized to store master keys that are used to secure (e.g., wrap) encryption keys that are stored outside of the HSMs. The wrapping of the encryption keys may include using the master key to mask each of the plurality of encryption keys. The master keys are then stored within the HSMs and the wrapped encryption keys may be stored outside of the HSMs. Since the plurality of encryption keys are wrapped, the wrapped encryption keys may be stored outside of the HSMs with a reduced potential for the wrapped encryption keys to be misappropriated. As such, the plurality of encryption keys may be stored in systems that do not have as many security requirements, and thus, have more memory available. As such, the memory needed to store keys within the HSMs is reduced.