Portable Data Protection Using Loss Detection and Key Destruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic devices lack effective methods to protect sensitive data stored locally when lost, stolen, or misplaced, with existing centralized storage solutions offering limited security and trusting data to third parties.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for portable electronic devices that determine if misplaced, lost, or stolen, and take actions such as declaring location, locking functions, erasing data, or destroying encryption keys to safeguard data, using external or internal status detection means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is stored locally on portable electronic devices to enable mobility and access, then convenience and productivity are improved, but security and risk of unauthorized access deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting loss or theft status before unauthorized access can occur, then proactively executes protective measures such as encrypting data, destroying encryption keys, or erasing data to prevent potential harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary protection layer between the stored data and potential unauthorized access. This includes using encryption keys as intermediaries that can be destroyed, or notification systems that act as intermediaries to alert owners and authorities before data exposure occurs
2Object-affected harmful factors
If centralized storage solutions are used to protect data, then security is improved, but reliance on third parties and loss of local access control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data protection approach into local and centralized components. Local encryption and key management provide user control, while optional centralized notification systems provide additional security layers, allowing users to choose their preferred level of control and protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service data protection through automated loss detection, local encryption key destruction, and user-controlled notification preferences. Users can independently manage their data security without requiring constant third-party intervention
3Reliability
If automated loss detection and protective actions are implemented, then security response time is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-service security functions by automatically detecting its own loss or theft status through status detection means, then autonomously executing protective actions such as encrypting data or destroying encryption keys without requiring external intervention or complex coordination systems
Data Source
AI summary
Data in a portable electronic device is protected by using external and internal status detection means to determine if the device is misplaced, lost, or stolen. The device then takes, singly or in combination, one of several actions to protect the data on the device, including declaring its location to an owner or service provider, locking the device or specific functions of the device to disable all data retrieval functionality, erasing or overwriting all the stored data in the device or, where the data has been stored in the device in an encrypted format, destroying an internally-stored encryption key, thereby preventing unauthorized access to the encrypted data in the device.