Mesh Network Zoning for Compromised Node Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and securing large-scale IoT mesh networks is challenging due to the decentralized nature and complex interconnections, making it difficult to isolate and contain potential security breaches effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mesh network architecture that isolates compromised nodes by identifying subsets of devices based on proximity or common features, using cryptographic means to disrupt communication and rotate cryptographic keys to quarantine affected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If decentralized mesh network topology is used to enable flexible device interconnection, then network adaptability and device connectivity are improved, but security isolation capability and breach containment become worse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mesh network into multiple security zones based on device proximity and relationship types (e.g., router zone, IoT device zone, neighbor zone). Each zone has isolated cryptographic key pairs, allowing security breaches to be contained within specific zones while maintaining overall network connectivity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling both flexible interconnection and targeted security isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements zone-specific cryptographic configurations where each security zone has its own unique key pairs and encryption parameters. Devices in different zones have different access permissions and cryptographic credentials. This local quality approach allows the network to maintain adaptability while providing differentiated security isolation at each zone level.
2Reliability
If cryptographic key rotation is implemented to enhance security, then security reliability is improved, but device complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments cryptographic key management by creating separate key pairs for each security zone. Instead of managing one global key rotation system, the network manages independent key rotations within each zone. This reduces overall complexity by localizing key management tasks and allowing parallel key rotation operations across zones without coordinating all devices simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes cryptographic key pairs in advance during device onboarding and zone formation, before security breaches can occur. Key rotation is triggered by security events rather than on a fixed schedule, allowing the system to prepare security credentials beforehand and activate them only when needed, reducing ongoing operational overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a processing device that determines that a first node device of a plurality of node devices in a network is non-compliant with a network policy, identifies a first subset of the plurality of node devices that are not associated with the first node device, and transmits a communication to the first subset of the plurality of node devices that instructs respective ones of the first subset of the plurality of node devices to perform an alteration of a state of a communication path of the first subset of the plurality of node devices to be incompatible with the first node device.