Line-Level Source Code Encryption for Version Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing version control systems for source code management in automation systems lack effective protection against unauthorized access, risking the disclosure of company secrets.
Innovation Solution
A method for encrypting source code in version control systems, involving line-by-line encryption and textualization to maintain line structure, allowing secure management and display of differences between versions without revealing the actual code, combined with reversible decryption for authorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If source code is stored in plain text in version control systems, then version management and change detection are enabled, but unauthorized access and disclosure of company secrets occur
Solution Approach 1:
The source code is encrypted line by line, segmenting the encryption process at the line level. This allows the version control system to manage encrypted lines individually while maintaining the ability to process and compare versions. The segmentation enables secure storage without requiring complete decryption of the entire codebase.
Solution Approach 2:
An encryption layer is introduced as an intermediary between the source code and the version control system. This intermediary transforms the plain text source code into encrypted form before storage, preventing direct access while allowing the version control system to continue managing versions and detecting changes through the encrypted representation.
2Reliability
If source code is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but the ability to detect and identify changes between versions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption is applied segment by segment at the line level, allowing the version control system to compare encrypted lines between versions. This segmentation preserves the structural information needed for change detection while maintaining encryption security. The system can identify which lines have changed without decrypting the entire codebase.
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption transformation changes the parameter representation of the source code from plain text to encrypted form. This parameter change maintains the essential properties needed for version comparison while providing security. The encrypted lines retain sufficient information for the version control system to detect and measure changes between versions.
3Reliability
If source code is encrypted using traditional methods, then security is enhanced, but the line structure and format required for version control processing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption process segments the source code into individual lines, applying encryption to each line while preserving the line structure. This segmentation approach maintains the format compatibility required by version control systems, which operate on line-by-line basis for diff generation and version comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption is applied locally at the line level rather than transforming the entire codebase into a different format. This local quality approach ensures that each line maintains its structural characteristics and can be processed by the version control system using existing tools and algorithms.
4Reliability
If source code is encrypted and stored, then unauthorized access is prevented, but authorized developers cannot easily restore and process the original code
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption keys and decryption capability are prepared and maintained in advance by the version control system. When authorized developers need to access the source code, the system can quickly decrypt the lines without requiring complex restoration processes. The preliminary preparation of decryption mechanisms enables easy access for authorized users.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for encrypting a source code for use in a version control system, is provided including providing the source code in an unencrypted and textual form in a provisioning step, carrying out an encryption of the source code and generating an encrypted source code version in an encrypting step, and carrying out a textualization of the encrypted source code version and generating a textualized representation of the encrypted source code version in a textualizing step. A method for decrypting an encrypted source code version is also provided, along with development system for carrying out the methods.