Hardware Security Module Authentication for Offline IoT Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IoT appliances face challenges in ensuring secure and reliable user authentication when disconnected from an authentication server due to the lack of a communication connection.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a hardware security module (HSM) to provide a certificate with a limited number of authentication processes, enabling challenge-response authentication and reducing the usage count after each successful authentication, ensuring secure access even without a network connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the appliance is disconnected from the authentication server, then the appliance can operate independently without network dependency, but secure authentication cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-loading authentication certificates and credentials into the appliance's secure storage before disconnection occurs. This allows the appliance to perform authentication operations independently without needing real-time server communication, thus maintaining both reliability and operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - a local authentication module with embedded certificates - that mediates between the user and the authentication server. This intermediary enables authentication to proceed locally when the server is inaccessible, while still maintaining the security framework established by the server-based system.
2Ease of operation
If a certificate is provided with unlimited authentication processes, then ease of use is improved, but security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the certificate's authentication capacity dynamic rather than static. The certificate includes a counter that tracks the number of remaining authentication processes, allowing the system to adapt between providing multiple uses (for convenience) and enforcing limits (for security) based on the current state of the counter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a usage counter mechanism that tracks and reports the number of remaining authentication processes. This feedback loop allows the system to monitor certificate usage and enforce security limits while maintaining ease of operation within those limits, as users receive clear information about remaining uses.
3Reliability
If the number of authentication processes is limited per certificate, then security is enhanced, but the complexity of certificate management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the appliance to automatically manage certificate usage counters and validate authentication process limits without requiring external intervention. This automation reduces the perceived complexity for users while maintaining security through enforced limits on authentication processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the authentication on a device includes a step of providing a certificate, the certificate enabling a limited number N of authentication processes. The method further includes a step of carrying out an authentication process on the device, and a step of reducing the number N of authentication processes that are still possible for the certificate.