Live Encryption Key Rotation Through Block-Level Reencryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Using the same encryption key for an extended period poses significant security risks due to potential compromise or expiration, necessitating a secure method for live encryption key rotation without disrupting data access.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for rotating encryption keys in a live environment by intercepting I/O requests, tracking key usage, and sequentially reencrypting data blocks to minimize disruption, allowing continuous access to storage systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If encryption keys are rotated frequently to improve security, then data security is improved, but system availability and performance may deteriorate due to reencryption overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage system into multiple segments or chunks, each encrypted with a different key version. During key rotation, only specific segments are reencrypted rather than the entire storage system at once. This segmentation allows the system to maintain availability while progressively improving security across different data portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary key preparation and validation before actual reencryption begins. New encryption keys are generated and tested in advance, and metadata structures are prepared to track key usage. This preliminary action ensures that key rotation can proceed smoothly without disrupting system availability, as the infrastructure is already in place to handle the transition.
2Reliability
If the entire storage system is reencrypted at once to ensure complete security update, then data security is improved, but system availability and performance severely deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic key rotation where encryption keys are updated in scheduled intervals across different storage segments. Instead of a single bulk reencryption operation, the system performs periodic reencryption of individual segments or chunks, allowing continuous data access while progressively updating security. This periodic approach eliminates lengthy system downtime while achieving complete key rotation over time.
3Productivity
If encryption key rotation is performed without interruption to maintain availability, then system availability is maintained, but complexity of key management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metadata structures and key management intermediaries that track which data segments use which encryption keys. These intermediaries act as mediators between the encryption system and storage operations, automatically determining which key version to apply for each data access. This intermediary layer simplifies key management complexity by providing automated key selection and tracking, enabling uninterrupted key rotation without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods related to live encryption key rotation. In one approach, an encryption system determines that use of an old key for encrypting data on a storage system is to be replaced with use of a new key. In response to the determination, the encryption system reads a block of data from the storage system that is encrypted with the old key, decrypts the block of data using the old key, encrypts the block of data using the new key, and writes the block of data encrypted with the new key to the storage system. The encryption system also updates a progress indicator that indicates which locations on the storage system store data encrypted with the old key and which locations on the storage system store data encrypted with the new key.