Identity Management System for Secure Peer-to-Peer Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread connectivity of the Internet has led to severe security threats as any device connected to the network can potentially threaten others, resulting in significant financial losses and the inability to control privacy or ownership rights for users, with existing network security measures being insufficient against malicious attacks.
Innovation Solution
A secure peer-to-peer data network is established through a method that creates a two-way trusted relationship between users and their devices, utilizing cryptographic key generation and federation identifiers to ensure secure ownership and control, allowing for the aggregation of trusted endpoint devices and secure data replication while preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If universal IP connectivity is implemented to enable worldwide communications, then network reachability and communication capability are improved, but security threats and vulnerability to attacks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into isolated peer-to-peer connections with individual cryptographic key pairs for each device pair. Each connection is independently secured through unique public-private key combinations, creating security boundaries that prevent attacks from propagating across the entire network. This segmentation approach maintains universal connectivity while limiting the attack surface to individual connection pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cryptographic key pairs as intermediaries between communicating devices. Public keys act as mediators that enable secure authentication and encryption without requiring direct trust between devices. This intermediary mechanism allows universal connectivity while maintaining security through cryptographic verification of each connection.
2Ease of operation
If centralized service providers host cloud-based services to enable convenient access, then ease of operation and service availability are improved, but user control over privacy and ownership rights deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through decentralized peer-to-peer connections where users directly communicate with each other without relying on centralized service providers. Each user maintains control over their own data and communication channels through cryptographic authentication, eliminating the need to trust third-party providers with privacy and ownership rights while maintaining service accessibility.
3Reliability
If existing network security measures are deployed to protect against attacks, then some level of security protection is achieved, but the measures are insufficient against determined malicious attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing cryptographic key pairs and authentication mechanisms before any communication occurs. Devices verify each other's identities through public key exchange prior to data transmission, preventing unauthorized access and malicious attacks from the outset. This proactive security approach is more effective than reactive security measures that attempt to block attacks after they initiate.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method comprises: receiving, by a network device, a request from a requesting party to register the network device as an endpoint device in a secure peer-to-peer data network; cryptographically generating a secure private key and a secure public key associated with the requesting party utilizing the network device; generating and sending a registration request, including the secure public key and an external network address for reaching the requesting party via an external data network, to a prescribed destination associated with the secure peer-to-peer data network; and selectively registering the network device as the endpoint device in response to verifying a validation response having been sent to the external network address and that includes the secure public key, including creating a federation identifier associated with the external network address and an endpoint identifier uniquely identifying the endpoint device, and associating the endpoint identifier with the federation identifier.