Hybrid Encryption Scheme for Quantum-Resistant Legacy Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current encryption schemes, particularly public key encryption schemes, are vulnerable to quantum attacks as quantum computing advances, and there is a need for hybrid solutions that can seamlessly transition from classical to post-quantum infrastructure while ensuring secure data transfer across various computing platforms, including IoT devices.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid secure encryption scheme that combines a first public key encryption scheme with a second public key scheme through a true or pseudo-random element, encapsulating a symmetrically encrypted message and its associated symmetric key to generate a pair of ciphertexts for secure transmission, allowing for easy upgrades and scalability across multiple platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current classical public key encryption schemes are used, then legacy systems can be maintained, but security is vulnerable to quantum attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption system is divided into multiple independent encryption schemes (classical PKE and post-quantum PKE) that operate in parallel. Each scheme processes the same plaintext independently, and both ciphertexts are transmitted. This segmentation allows the system to maintain compatibility with legacy systems while simultaneously providing quantum-resistant security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple encryption schemes (classical and post-quantum) into a hybrid encryption system. The composite structure uses both classical PKE and post-quantum PKE schemes together, where the security of the overall system benefits from the strengths of both individual schemes, providing both legacy compatibility and quantum resistance.
2Reliability
If post-quantum cryptography schemes are adopted, then quantum resistance is achieved, but compatibility with legacy systems is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid encryption system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains compatibility with legacy systems that expect classical PKE ciphertexts while also providing quantum-resistant security through post-quantum PKE. The system can serve both traditional and quantum-resistant security requirements within a single framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates encryption functions into distinct classical and post-quantum components. Legacy systems can process the classical PKE ciphertext independently, while quantum-resistant protection is provided by the post-quantum component. This segmentation enables gradual adoption without forcing immediate system-wide changes.
3Reliability
If hybrid encryption combining multiple schemes is implemented, then security is improved, but computational overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial redundancy by using both classical and post-quantum encryption schemes. While this doubles the encryption operations, it provides disproportionate security benefits by protecting against both classical and quantum threats simultaneously. The increased computational cost is acceptable given the significant security enhancement.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid encryption scheme links a first public key encryption (PKE) scheme with a second PKE scheme through a true random or pseudo-random element, which is used by a sender to encapsulate a symmetrically encrypted message and its associated symmetric key to generate a pair of ciphertexts for transmission to a recipient. The recipient decrypts and decapsulates the ciphertexts, retrieves the random element, and may conduct one or more verification steps to ensure that the ciphertexts were well-formed, and to detect any re-encryption or encapsulation attacks. To encrypt a message, the message and initial random value are encrypted with a symmetric key to provide an intermediate ciphertext. The symmetric key and the encrypted message-value are each encapsulated by distinct algorithms using distinct values derived from the initial random value, such as different hashes, and public keys to provide first and second ciphertexts.