Logical Cryptographic Key Throttle Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed computing systems, tracking the aggregate usage of cryptographic keys across multiple nodes to prevent excessive encryption operations is complex due to varying performance rates, leading to potential security risks and underutilization of keys when rotation is premature.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a logical key system backed by multiple physical keys, where the logical key's throttle is managed by aggregating the throttles of its physical keys, allowing for dynamic adjustment of physical key usage to maintain a consistent transaction rate without compromising security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryptographic keys are rotated frequently to maintain security, then security is improved, but key utilization efficiency deteriorates due to premature rotation before the limit is exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single cryptographic key into multiple key portions distributed across different nodes. Each node holds a portion and can perform encryption operations independently, allowing the system to utilize the full key capacity before rotation is needed, thereby improving both security and key utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic key management where the system adapts key rotation timing based on actual usage patterns and aggregate operation counts across distributed nodes. This dynamic approach prevents premature rotation while maintaining security boundaries, resolving the contradiction between security and efficiency
2Productivity
If multiple nodes perform encryption operations with the same cryptographic key, then productivity is improved, but tracking aggregate usage becomes complex and security management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a key management service as an intermediary that centrally tracks aggregate usage of cryptographic keys across all distributed nodes. This intermediary maintains operation counts and coordinates key rotation, simplifying usage tracking while enabling high throughput encryption operations across multiple nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines individual node encryption capabilities with centralized key management functionality. By merging distributed computational power with centralized tracking and coordination, the system achieves high productivity while maintaining simplified security management through the key management service
Data Source
AI summary
A request to perform a cryptographic operation is received, the request including a first identifier assigned to a key group, the key group comprising a plurality of second identifiers, with the plurality of second identifiers corresponding to a plurality of cryptographic keys. A second identifier is determined, according to a distribution scheme, from the plurality of second identifiers, and the cryptographic operation is performed using a cryptographic key of the plurality of cryptographic keys that corresponds to the second identifier that was determined.