Selective Application Layer Security for Message Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data communication systems lack end-to-end security, particularly when data passes through intermediate nodes, and they inefficiently apply security measures to all communications, leading to high operational costs and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for selective end-to-end message level security, utilizing a logic unit with modules for security, messaging, message class definition, security level mapping, encryption, decryption, signature, and verification to apply security features at the application layer, ensuring message integrity and privacy based on message class, and preserving security during storage and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SSL is implemented for data communication, then link level security is provided, but end-to-end security is not ensured and data is insecure during storage on intermediate nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the security implementation into distinct components: a security module that processes messages, a messaging module that handles communication, and a message class definition module that categorizes messages. This segmentation allows end-to-end security to be achieved without overwhelming complexity by dividing the security function into manageable, independent parts that can be implemented systematically across the communication system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a security module as an intermediary component that operates between the messaging modules of different nodes. This intermediary security module applies security transformations (encryption, signing) to messages before they are transmitted, ensuring end-to-end security while maintaining a clear separation of concerns between security processing and message transmission functions.
2Reliability
If SSL protects all communications, then security coverage is maximized, but operating cost increases due to processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating security treatment based on message characteristics. The message class definition module categorizes messages into different types, and the security module applies appropriate security measures selectively. Not all messages require the same level of security protection, allowing the system to maximize security coverage for critical messages while reducing processing costs for less sensitive communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying security measures only where necessary rather than uniformly to all communications. The security module can be configured to apply encryption and signing only to messages belonging to specific classes that require protection, avoiding the excessive processing cost of securing every message while maintaining adequate security coverage for critical data transmissions.
3Reliability
If S-HTTP is used for application layer security, then message level security is provided, but it is protocol-specific and does not provide true end-to-end security in multi-node systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a security module that operates independently of specific application protocols. The security module processes messages at the application layer but maintains protocol-agnostic functionality, allowing the same security mechanisms to protect various types of messages across different protocols. This multi-functional approach enables end-to-end security without being constrained to a single protocol like S-HTTP.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for selective, end-to-end message level security. The apparatus includes a message class definition module, a security module, and a messaging module. The message class definition module identifies a predetermined message class of an internode message. The security module applies security to the message at an application layer. The security that is applied to the message corresponds to a security level, which depends on the message class of the message. The security may include encryption, authentication, and/or other security features. The messaging module communicates the message between a first node and a second node. A third node, such as a broker, may be interposed between the first and second nodes, in which case the security of the message is preserved at the third node.