Imaging Configuration Verification With Watermarks and zk-SNARKs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical imaging facilities face significant security threats due to outdated security configurations in their imaging devices, which can lead to unauthorized access and tampering of medical images, potentially causing harm to patients.
Innovation Solution
A system that verifies the up-to-date security configuration of imaging devices by watermarking images with a timestamp and security configuration information, using a blockchain to store configuration releases, and employing zero-knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge (zk-SNARK) for secure proof verification, integrated with a smart contract for automated validation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If imaging facilities continuously update security configurations to protect against new threats, then security reliability is improved, but operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by watermarking images with security configuration information at the time of creation. This allows verification to be done later without requiring the facility to maintain complex update procedures, as the security state is captured upfront in the image metadata.
Solution Approach 2:
A blockchain-based verification system acts as an intermediary between imaging facilities and security auditors. The blockchain stores security configuration releases and enables automatic verification without requiring direct coordination between facilities and security teams, reducing operational complexity.
2Ease of operation
If security configuration updates are delayed to reduce operational overhead, then ease of operation is improved, but security reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The verification system is self-service in that it automatically verifies security configurations by examining watermarks on existing images. Auditors can independently verify security states without requiring facilities to actively manage updates, making the system easy to operate while maintaining reliability through cryptographic proof.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by allowing verification of security configurations at any time through image watermark analysis. This creates a feedback mechanism where security compliance can be assessed without requiring continuous active management, balancing ease of operation with reliability.
3Measurement precision
If detailed security configuration information is disclosed for verification purposes, then measurement precision is improved, but security risks increase due to potential targeted attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary verification information (security configuration version and timestamp) from the detailed security state and embeds it in the image watermark. This allows accurate verification without exposing the full security configuration, preventing targeted attacks while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of disclosing the actual security configuration, the system uses cryptographic copies (hashes and watermarks) that prove the configuration state without revealing sensitive details. The blockchain stores verified copies of security releases, enabling verification while protecting against targeted attacks on specific configuration weaknesses.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system provider (110) provides updates to an imaging facility (120). These updates are referred to as configurations, and each configuration has an associated date-time. The provider stores each configuration and its date-time in a blockchain (130). When the imaging facility acquires an image of a patient, the image is watermarked (125) with an identification of the configuration of the imaging system at the time the image was acquired. When the patient (150) wants to verify whether the image was taken 2024/038033 using the most up to date configuration, the patient submits an identification of the image to a verification system (140). The verifier submits a request for proof from the imagining facility. The imaging facility compares the watermarked information and the information in the block chain, and provides the proof to the verification system, which verifies the proof. To assure privacy and security, a zk-SNARK is used for the proving and verification processes.