Modified AES Key Expansion for Customer Due Diligence Data Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

The vulnerability of using a single initial key in the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) poses a security risk, as it compromises the integrity of encrypted data if the key is compromised.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a modified key expansion schedule that requires multiple different cipher keys, with one key stored by the service provider and another at the client device, enhancing security by ensuring that no single entity can decrypt the encrypted information without both keys.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single initial key is used in AES encryption, then the encryption process is simple and efficient, but the security is compromised if the key is obtained by a bad actor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencryption process complexityVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The encryption key is segmented into multiple component keys (first set of component keys and second set of component keys) that are stored separately in different locations (service provider system and customer device respectively). These segmented keys are combined during the encryption process to form the initial key, ensuring that no single entity possesses the complete key, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple different cipher keys are required for encryption, then data security is enhanced, but the encryption process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidencryption process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The component keys are generated and stored in advance in separate locations before the actual encryption operation. The service provider system stores the first set of component keys while the customer device stores the second set. This preliminary distribution of key components allows the encryption process to remain relatively simple while achieving enhanced security through the use of multiple keys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The component keys act as intermediaries between the service provider and the customer. Instead of requiring direct exchange of a single complete key, the system uses multiple component keys that must be combined to achieve decryption, creating an intermediary layer that enhances security while managing the complexity of key distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the service provider stores the initial cypher key, then encryption operations can be performed efficiently, but the service provider itself cannot decrypt encrypted information without customer authentication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencryption operation efficiencyVSAvoidaccess control security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The initial key is segmented into component keys distributed between the service provider system and customer device. The service provider system stores component keys that enable efficient encryption operations, but cannot decrypt data alone. The customer device holds the remaining component keys necessary for decryption, ensuring that even with authentication, the service provider cannot access customer data without the customer's participation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12483392B2Systems and methods to encrypt centralized information associated with users of a customer due diligence platform based on a modified key expansion schedule
Publication Date: 2025.11.25 SIMUR INC
  • US12483392B2 patent drawing
  • US12483392B2 patent drawing
  • US12483392B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods to encrypt centralized information associated with users of a customer due diligence platform based on a modified key expansion schedule are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: obtain user profile information making up user profiles of users of a customer due diligence platform; encrypt the user profile information to generate encrypted user profile information based on a modified key expansion schedule requiring multiple different keys; effectuate storage of the encrypted user profile information in association with the user profiles in non-transitory electronic storage; and/or perform other operations.