Messaging Security Policy Switching for Protected Content Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing messaging security systems are vulnerable to attacks due to inadequate or lack of security measures, particularly in environments where sensitive information is transmitted, and there is a need for efficient switching between different security policies to maintain data integrity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method and system that allows electronic devices to determine when a messaging security policy has been downgraded to a lower security level and automatically removes protected content from messaging applications, ensuring compliance with new security standards by deleting keys and removing access to protected groups and conversations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If messaging security policies are strengthened to provide encryption and authentication, then data security is improved, but device vulnerability to attacks increases due to inadequate or lack of security measures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoiddevice vulnerability to attacks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between different security policies (first security policy with lower security level and second security policy with higher security level) based on detected conditions. When a condition matching the pattern is detected, the system transitions from the first security policy to the second security policy, enabling adaptive security responses to potential threats while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of conditions that may indicate security threats (such as detecting patterns matching predefined conditions) before actual attacks occur. By detecting these conditions and switching to a higher security policy in advance, the system prevents potential security breaches rather than reacting after damage occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple security policies are implemented to counter different threats, then security coverage is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity policy coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal security management framework that handles multiple security policies through a single unified mechanism. The security manager component provides a common interface for detecting conditions, determining policy switches, and managing transitions between different security levels, allowing the system to handle diverse security requirements without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The security system is segmented into distinct functional components: condition detection modules that monitor for specific patterns, a security manager that determines policy transitions, and execution mechanisms that apply the appropriate security policies. This segmentation allows each component to focus on specific tasks, making the overall multi-policy system more manageable and less complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If automatic policy switching is implemented to maintain security, then security response time is improved, but operational disruption increases due to removing protected content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity response timeVSAvoidoperational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection and evaluation of security conditions before actually switching policies. By continuously monitoring for conditions that trigger policy changes and evaluating them against predefined patterns, the system prepares for potential transitions in advance, enabling rapid response when actual threats are detected while minimizing operational disruption through planned transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2953320B1System and method for switching between messaging security policies
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2953320B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2953320B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2953320B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A system and method are provided for switching between messaging security policies. The method includes determining that a messaging security policy for the electronic device has been downgraded to a lower security level, and removing protected content from a messaging application on the electronic device that is subjected to the security policy. Removing protected content can include any one or more of removing access to at least one protected instant messaging group, removing at least one multi-participant instant messaging conversation, and removing at least a portion of protected content from within a one-to-one conversation with an instant messaging contact.