Mobile Device Log Preservation via Remote Sync Before Deletion

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a security loophole between the time an electronic message is sent and when the message logs are uploaded to a central database, as users may delete message logs during this interval, potentially erasing evidence of inappropriate messages.

Innovation Solution

A method is implemented on mobile devices to preserve data records by receiving a command to delete user data, identifying and storing any unuploaded data records to remote log storage, and then deleting the user data after ensuring all records are synced with the remote log storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If message logs are stored locally on the device for a period before upload, then device operation flexibility is improved, but security is worsened due to potential deletion of logs during the interval

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation flexibilityVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary action by checking whether message logs have been successfully uploaded to the remote server before allowing their deletion from the device. This preventive measure ensures that no auditable records are lost during the transition period, resolving the security loophole while maintaining operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If data records are uploaded to remote storage before deletion, then evidence preservation is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to additional synchronization steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevidence preservationVSAvoidsynchronization steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by establishing a verification mechanism that confirms successful upload of message logs to the remote server before permitting local deletion. This feedback loop ensures evidence preservation while managing complexity through automated verification rather than manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The deletion module performs self-service by automatically checking upload status and verifying record preservation before executing deletion. This self-verification mechanism reduces the need for external monitoring and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining robust evidence preservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2150027B1Systems and methods for preserving auditable records of an electronic device

Publication Date: 2014.09.03 BLACKBERRY LTD

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AI summary

Embodiments of a system and method for preserving data records of a system comprising a mobile electronic device (100) and a remote log storage (269) configured to store data records (269a) corresponding to auditable events. The mobile electronic device comprises memory storage (126) configured to store user data (125) and the user data includes a data log (127) comprising data records (127a) corresponding to auditable events. As well, the mobile electronic device is operatively coupleable to the remote log storage. The method comprises receiving a command to delete the user data (302); determining any data records in the data log which have not been uploaded to the remote log storage (304); storing any determined data records in the remote log storage (308); and deleting the user data (306,310).