Multi-Tiered Encryption System Automated Key Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hardware security modules (HSMs) used for encryption and decryption tasks can impose constraints on data volume, key usage limits, and latency, while key rotation and management are burdensome and costly, potentially compromising data security and system performance.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tiered encryption system with a re-encryption service that automatically manages key rotation policies, generating new encryption keys as needed to extend key usage limits, reducing the need for frequent key updates and minimizing latency by distributing encryption operations across multiple tiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If HSMs are used to perform encryption and decryption services, then the burden on electronic devices is reduced, but the system introduces additional constraints on data volume, key usage limits, and latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the encryption service into multiple HSM instances, each with its own key usage limits. By distributing encryption operations across multiple segmented HSMs, the system collectively handles larger data volumes and more encryption operations than a single HSM could manage, while each individual HSM operates within its constrained limits.
2Reliability
If encryption keys are rotated frequently to maintain security, then data security is improved, but key management becomes more burdensome and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated key rotation where HSMs automatically generate new encryption keys and re-encrypt data without requiring manual intervention. The key management service automatically tracks key usage limits, triggers key rotation when limits are approached, and manages the transition between old and new keys, making the system self-managing and reducing operational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The key management service implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring key usage metrics (data volume, number of operations, time duration) and automatically triggering key rotation when predefined thresholds are reached. This feedback-driven approach ensures security requirements are met while optimizing key management efficiency.
3Productivity
If HSMs are accessed over a network to perform encryption tasks, then device resources are freed for other processes, but latency increases due to network communication
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating encryption keys and caching them in the HSM before they are needed. When encryption operations are requested, the HSM can immediately use pre-prepared keys without requiring key generation or retrieval delays, reducing latency while maintaining the benefit of offloading encryption to specialized hardware.
4Reliability
If HSMs are implemented to provide external encryption services, then encryption capability is enhanced, but implementation and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple HSM instances with limited key usage quotas rather than a single high-capacity HSM. Each HSM key has a finite lifespan and usage limit, after which it is discarded and replaced with a new key from the same or different HSM. This approach distributes costs across multiple lower-cost HSM instances and avoids the need for expensive high-capacity hardware while maintaining strong security through frequent key rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
A re-encryption service module in a multi-tiered encryption system that manages key rotation policies continuously or periodically re-encrypts data. Each encryption tier in the system can include a node programmed to service encryption, decryption, and/or re-encryption requests and a key store to store encryption keys. A computing node that interfaces with a requesting device may include the re-encryption service module. The re-encryption module may receive encrypted data and a key identifier identifying the key used to encrypt the data. The re-encryption module may decrypt the encrypted data using the identified key, retrieve a new key if the identified key is exhausted, and use the new key to encrypt the decrypted data. The key identifier may be updated to identify the new key and the re-encrypted data and the updated key identifier may be transmitted to the requesting device.