Key Distribution Service for Scalable IoT Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cybersecurity systems in IoT, IIoT, and OT environments face challenges in securely distributing authenticated data streams due to complex PKI systems, high costs, scalability issues, and resource constraints, particularly for headless devices, which lack secure local storage and efficient key management, leading to service disruptions and interoperability problems.
Innovation Solution
A key distribution service (KDS) that generates, distributes, and manages symmetric pre-shared keys at scale, using DNS-based device authentication and domain validation, eliminating the need for PKI-based certificates and asymmetric keypairs, and enabling secure communications without requiring local secure elements or reengineering of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PKI-based asymmetric key systems are used for device authentication and secure communication, then security and authentication capability are improved, but device complexity, cost, and scalability deteriorate due to certificate management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex PKI certificate management functionality from resource-constrained IoT/IIoT devices and relocates it to a centralized Key Distribution Service. Devices only retain lightweight symmetric key storage and DNS-based authentication, eliminating the need for local asymmetric keypair generation, certificate storage, and chain verification on embedded devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a Key Distribution Service as an intermediary between devices and the authentication infrastructure. This service acts as a trusted mediator that issues and manages symmetric keys for devices, replacing the need for devices to directly interact with complex PKI systems. The service also mediates key renewal and revocation operations centrally.
2Reliability
If commercial certificate authorities issue short-lived certificates for enhanced security, then security is improved, but recurring costs and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements disposable, short-lived symmetric keys that are automatically generated and distributed by the Key Distribution Service. These keys have limited lifetimes and are replaced through automated renewal processes, providing enhanced security without the recurring costs of commercial CA certificates. The keys are inexpensive to generate and manage centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated key renewal and rotation mechanisms where devices can autonomously request and receive renewed symmetric keys from the Key Distribution Service without human intervention. The service automatically manages key lifecycles including generation, distribution, renewal, and revocation, eliminating operational overhead.
3Reliability
If certificate chain verification and revocation list processing are performed on resource-constrained devices, then security validation is improved, but computational load and bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts computationally intensive certificate chain verification and revocation list processing operations from resource-constrained IoT/IIoT devices and relocates them to the centralized Key Distribution Service. Devices only perform lightweight symmetric key validation and DNS lookup, dramatically reducing their computational and bandwidth requirements.
4Reliability
If local asymmetric keypair generation is implemented on devices for enhanced cybersecurity, then security is improved, but entropy requirements and compute capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts asymmetric keypair generation functionality from resource-constrained devices and centralizes it in the Key Distribution Service. This eliminates the need for devices to have high entropy sources and substantial compute capacity for cryptographic operations, making the system compatible with low-cost embedded devices that have minimal processing power and memory.
5Reliability
If symmetric pre-shared keys are distributed to numerous devices, then secure communication is enabled, but key distribution scalability and service availability during field operations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal Key Distribution Service that handles multiple functions including key generation, distribution, renewal, and revocation for an arbitrary number of devices through a single centralized system. The service uses DNS-based authentication and group-based key management to efficiently serve numerous devices without requiring individual configuration, enabling scalable deployment across IoT/IIoT environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary key generation and distribution setup during device manufacturing or onboarding phases. Devices are pre-configured with minimal identification information (such as device identifiers for DNS lookup) rather than full cryptographic credentials. The actual symmetric keys are distributed on-demand by the Key Distribution Service when devices need to establish secure communications.
6Reliability
If group-based key management and domain validation are implemented, then device authentication is improved, but network complexity and configuration overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the Key Distribution Service as an intermediary that handles complex group-based key management and domain validation logic centrally. Devices simply authenticate through DNS lookup using their device identifiers, while the service manages the complexity of group memberships, key assignments, and domain validations in the background, reducing network configuration complexity at the device level.
Data Source
AI summary
The method provides for dynamic retrieval of certificates, with remote, secure, and scalable lifecycle management. It enables the importation, distribution, renewal, and rekey of leaf certificates and associated private keys to applications executing on devices with two-factor authentication for devices. It is an agentless method to achieve device protection, application security, and data protection with data authenticity and confidentiality in intra-device, inter-device, device-to-edge, and device-to-cloud communications. It helps Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Internet Key Exchange (IKE) enabled applications retrieve leaf certificates and the associated private key, and verify certificates, programmatically for certificate-based authentication during protocol handshake, with policy-based authorization of trusted applications. It enables applications and command line utilities retrieve and use leaf certificates for mutual authentication, data signing with digital signatures, and key unwrapping. It further enables dynamic retrieval of trusted intermediate and root certificates.