Minimal Computation Multi-Factor Encryption for Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices with limited computational capabilities face challenges in securely exchanging data due to their inability to effectively generate encryption keys and execute encryption or decryption processes, particularly in protecting sensitive patient information from interception and tampering during wireless communications.
Innovation Solution
A minimal computation multi-factor (MCMF) scheme is implemented to generate a dynamic encryption key based on device identifiers, enabling secure data exchange without increasing data processing load or power requirements, suitable for low-cost and disposable medical devices like autoinjectors and on-body injectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional encryption algorithms are used in medical devices, then data security is improved, but computational capability and power consumption requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption system is segmented into two parts: a static key stored in a secure element (low-power storage) and a dynamic key generated through minimal computation (XOR operation). This segmentation allows the device to maintain strong encryption while minimizing computational power consumption during data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The static encryption key is pre-loaded into the secure element during device manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex key generation algorithms during operation, reducing real-time computational requirements and power consumption while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If conventional encryption algorithms are used in medical devices, then data security is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The key management system is divided into static key storage (in secure element) and dynamic key generation (through simple XOR operation). This segmentation reduces computational complexity from implementing full encryption algorithms to performing simple bitwise operations, making it suitable for low-power medical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
A secure element acts as an intermediary component that stores the static key and facilitates minimal computation for dynamic key generation. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture by offloading complex cryptographic operations to a dedicated hardware component.
3Reliability
If dynamic encryption keys are generated, then security against interception is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic key generation through XOR operation between the static key and a counter or random value. This dynamic approach ensures that each encryption operation uses a unique key, providing security against interception while requiring minimal computational power compared to traditional dynamic key generation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption key parameters are changed dynamically through simple XOR operations rather than complex key derivation functions. This parameter change approach maintains security by ensuring key uniqueness for each transmission while significantly reducing the computational power required.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical device with limited computational capability includes medical hardware, a first register to store a static, substantially unique identifier of the medical device, a second register to store a static encryption key, an interface to receive and transmit data over a short-range communication link, and processing hardware. The processing hardware is configured to apply the static encryption key to the identifier of the medical device to generate an encrypted identifier, transmit the encrypted identifier of to another device via the interface, receive an encrypted identifier of the other device, decrypt the encrypted identifier of the other device using the static encryption key to determine an identifier of the other device, generate a dynamic encryption key using the identifier of the medical device and the identifier of the other device, and apply the dynamic encryption key to medical data transmitted between the medical device and the other device.