Multi-Entity VMK Recovery for Hardware-Failure Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in securely managing and recovering disk encryption keys (VMKs) due to potential loss of access caused by hardware failures, tampering, or unauthorized access, which compromises the security of sensitive data.
Innovation Solution
Implement a framework that uses multiple layers of encryption and enforced hygiene standards to manage the backup and recovery of disk encryption keys (VMKs), ensuring they are never fully decrypted at rest by a single entity and requiring multiple entities to perform security checks before decryption, with decryption keys stored remotely to prevent unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If disk encryption keys are stored locally for fast access, then data access speed is improved, but security is compromised due to potential loss from hardware failures or tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption key management is segmented into multiple components: key generation, secure storage in encrypted form, and controlled decryption processes. The system divides key access into multiple authorization stages requiring different credentials, preventing single-point failure and enhancing security while maintaining access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary security layers including hardware security modules, encrypted key storage, and multi-factor authentication mechanisms that mediate between the encryption keys and access requests. These intermediaries protect keys from direct exposure while enabling secure access when needed.
2Reliability
If multiple layers of encryption are implemented for key backup, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements nested encryption layers where encryption keys are protected by multiple successive encryption schemes. Each layer uses different encryption algorithms and key management mechanisms, creating a nested structure that provides progressive security while organizing complexity in a manageable hierarchical manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes encryption parameters dynamically based on security requirements and access contexts. Different encryption strengths, algorithms, and key management policies are applied depending on the data sensitivity, access level, and operational context, allowing flexible security adjustment without fixed complexity.
3Reliability
If decryption keys are stored remotely to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but data recovery time increases during hardware failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing secure key storage locations, pre-configuring decryption protocols, and pre-arranging backup mechanisms. When hardware failures occur, the recovery process leverages these pre-prepared arrangements to minimize downtime while maintaining security, as the decryption infrastructure is already in place and configured.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor system health, detect hardware failures, and automatically trigger key retrieval and decryption processes. This automated feedback loop reduces manual intervention time and accelerates recovery by immediately initiating the appropriate security protocols when failures are detected.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for managing data are disclosed. An endpoint may rely on access to sensitive data in order to provide computer-implemented services. The sensitive data may be encrypted using a volume master key (VMK). The VMK may be protected by security protocols implemented on the endpoint that may prevent access to the VMK if hardware of the endpoint has failed and/or has been altered. Thus, a hardware failure may result in an indefinite loss of access to the sensitive data. To prevent loss of data access, the VMK may be managed using secure backup and recovery processes. The processes may include multiply encrypting the VMK using key pairs managed by multiple entities, and the decryption keys may be secured in multiple locations. To sequentially decrypt the VMK during the recovery process, security checks may be performed by each entity, and the final decryption may be performed by the endpoint.