HSM Signature Enforcement via Token Augmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hardware security modules (HSMs) face challenges in maintaining the security of private tokens while requiring multiple approvals for electronic object signatures, as existing solutions either compromise security by allowing access to private tokens or expose the HSM to potential attacks through entity-written code or administrator login.
Innovation Solution
An HSM that maintains public key/private token pairs for entities, applies entity signatures based on predefined requirements without installing entity code or requiring administrator login, by augmenting private tokens with public keys of approving entities and recording approvals to apply signatures once conditions are met, including quorum, timing, and veto functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If administrator login is required to apply entity signatures, then signature control is achieved, but security is compromised and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The HSM automatically monitors approval conditions and applies signatures without administrator intervention. The system self-manages the signature application process by detecting when approval conditions are met and autonomously executing the signature, eliminating the need for administrator login while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
Approval conditions are pre-configured in the HSM before signature events occur. The system pre-establishes the rules and conditions that must be met for signature application, allowing automated enforcement without real-time administrator intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If entity-written code is installed on HSM to manage approvals, then signature requirements can be enforced, but HSM security is compromised to attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approval mechanism where the HSM acts as a trusted mediator between entities. Instead of installing entity code on the HSM, the system uses a standardized approval interface where entities submit approval requests that the HSM validates against pre-configured conditions, eliminating security risks from custom code while maintaining enforcement capability.
3Ease of operation
If private token access is permitted for signature application, then signature functionality is achieved, but security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The HSM automatically detects when approval conditions are met and self-executes the signature application using the private token without external access requests. This self-service mechanism eliminates the security risk of private token exposure while maintaining signature functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures approval conditions and authorization rules within the HSM before signature events occur. This preliminary setup allows the HSM to autonomously enforce security policies and apply signatures only when pre-defined conditions are satisfied, without requiring external access to the private token.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, an HSM may provide a cryptographic signature service. The HSM may maintain key/token pairs for various users/entities and for a first entity for which signature may be desired. The HSM may ensure that the requirements for the entity's signature are met, and then may apply the entity's signature. In an embodiment, the HSM may augment the private token for the first entity with the public keys of users/entities which are to approve the entity's signature. As the approvals are received, the HSM may record the approvals and may apply the signature once the approvals are received.