Key Generation Component with Adjustable Entropy Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for generating cryptographic keys do not provide sufficient flexibility in entropy levels, which can impact the security and efficiency of key generation depending on the application context, leading to either excessive processing for high-security needs or inadequate security for less sensitive applications.
Innovation Solution
A key generation component that exposes characteristics for input entropy, allowing selection from multiple entropy generation components to generate cryptographic keys, enabling adjustable entropy levels based on application sensitivity, thereby optimizing processing and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If higher degrees of input entropy are used to guard against key discovery, then security is improved, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the entropy generation process based on application sensitivity. The key generation component connects to different entropy generation components or adjusts entropy characteristics according to the specific application's security requirements, allowing flexible optimization between security and processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of entropy generation by exposing characteristics for input entropy and allowing selection from multiple entropy generation components. This enables adjustment of entropy levels to match application sensitivity, optimizing the balance between security and processing efficiency.
2Reliability
If higher degrees of input entropy are used to guard against key discovery, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The key generation component serves multiple functions by connecting to different entropy generation components based on application requirements. This multi-functional design allows the same component to provide appropriate security levels for different applications without requiring separate systems for each security level.
Solution Approach 2:
The key generation component acts as an intermediary between entropy generation components and applications. It manages the complexity of selecting and connecting to appropriate entropy sources, shielding applications from the underlying system complexity while providing tailored security levels.
3Reliability
If rigorous processing is applied to generate high entropy, then security is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the rigor of entropy processing based on application sensitivity. For less sensitive applications, the system uses lighter processing to generate keys quickly, while reserving rigorous processing for high-security applications, thus optimizing overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables changing the parameters of entropy generation and processing based on application requirements. By adjusting entropy characteristics and selection of generation components, the system optimizes the balance between security rigor and key generation speed for different use cases.
Data Source
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AI summary
Generation of a cryptographic key using one of multiple possible entropy generation components that may provide input entropy. A key generation component provides an interface that exposes one or more characteristics for input entropy to be used to generate a cryptographic key. For applications that are more sensitive to improper key discovery, higher degrees of input entropy may be used to guard against key discovery. During key generation, the key generation component connects with an appropriate entropy generation component via the interface. For instance, the entropy generation component may be selected or adjusted so that it does indeed provide the input entropy meeting the characteristics described by the interface. The key generation component receives the input entropy via the interface, and then uses the input entropy to generate the cryptographic key.