Centralized Key Management for Encrypted File Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing key management systems for encrypted computer files lack control over the lifecycle of issued keys, making it difficult to revoke access when a computer's security posture deteriorates.
Innovation Solution
A centralized key management server that performs integrity checks on computers with encrypted file systems, issues keys only to compliant systems, and automatically or manually revokes keys if the security posture deteriorates, ensuring continuous access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If keys are issued to computers with encrypted file systems, then access to encrypted files is enabled, but the system cannot revoke keys when security posture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The key management server continuously monitors the security posture of client computers by receiving integrity check results and automatically responds to security degradation by revoking keys. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables dynamic key lifecycle management, resolving the contradiction between providing continuous access and maintaining security control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static key issuance to dynamic key management where access rights are continuously adjusted based on real-time security posture assessments. Keys are granted, maintained, or revoked dynamically according to the computer's security state, enabling adaptability in key lifecycle management while maintaining reliable security control.
2Reliability
If integrity checks are performed continuously to monitor security posture, then access control reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The key management server acts as an intermediary between client computers and encrypted file systems, centralizing the complexity of continuous integrity checking and key management. This mediator approach maintains reliable access control by handling security monitoring centrally while keeping individual client systems relatively simple.
3Reliability
If keys are revoked automatically when security posture deteriorates, then security is maintained, but access to legitimate files may be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from integrity checks to automatically adjust key validity, maintaining security by revoking keys when security posture deteriorates. The automated nature of this feedback loop ensures security maintenance while minimizing manual intervention, though it may interrupt access if security issues are not quickly resolved.
Data Source
AI summary
A server computer provides centralized key management services to several computers having encrypted files or file systems. The server computer receives key requests from the computers. The server computer issues a key to a computer that passes an integrity check. The key is used to unlock an encrypted file or file system in the computer. When the computer fails another integrity check after receiving the key, indicating a change in the security posture of the computer, the server computer may revoke the key automatically or upon receipt of an instruction from a key administrator.