Multi-Dimensional Block Cipher for Secure Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current encryption systems in secure communications and data storage face challenges in providing both high security and fast encryption/decryption processes, as they are vulnerable to cryptanalysis and do not effectively adapt to multiple levels of security or compartmentalization.
Innovation Solution
A multi-dimensional block cipher system that divides data into macroblocks, encrypts them in multiple dimensions (rows, columns, and potentially additional dimensions), and uses chaining or propagating methods to create a combining cipher, allowing for parallel processing and adaptive security levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional single-dimensional encryption is used, then the system is simpler and faster to implement, but the security level is insufficient and vulnerable to cryptanalysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-dimensional encryption by dividing plaintext into macroblocks and encrypting them across multiple dimensions (rows, columns, and additional dimensions). This dimensional expansion increases security complexity without requiring fundamentally new cryptographic algorithms, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured organization of encryption operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption system segments plaintext into macroblocks of fixed size, which are then further divided into sub-blocks for multi-dimensional processing. This segmentation allows the system to handle large data sets efficiently while applying complex encryption techniques to manageable chunks, resolving the contradiction between security enhancement and system complexity.
2Reliability
If multi-dimensional encryption with multiple processing steps is implemented, then security is enhanced, but encryption and decryption time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting macroblocks into smaller sub-blocks that can be processed independently in parallel across multiple dimensions, the system reduces the time penalty of multi-dimensional encryption. The segmented structure enables concurrent processing operations that mitigate the time loss despite increased computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic key derivation where sub-keys are generated from master keys through cryptographic hash functions, and chaining mechanisms dynamically link encryption of successive macroblocks. This dynamic approach optimizes processing time by reusing computational results across dimensions while maintaining security, reducing the overall encryption/decryption time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed security level encryption is used, then the system is easier to implement, but it cannot adapt to different security requirements or compartmentalization needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic security level adaptation through configurable parameters including macroblock size, number of dimensions, and chaining modes. The system can dynamically adjust these parameters based on security requirements, allowing the same encryption framework to serve multiple security levels without requiring separate systems, thereby improving adaptability while managing configuration complexity through a unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-dimensional encryption system serves multiple functions: it can operate in electronic codebook mode, cipher block chaining mode, or other modes depending on configuration. The same core encryption mechanism adapts to different security requirements and compartmentalization needs, making the system universally applicable across various security scenarios without increasing fundamental system complexity.
4Reliability
If ciphertext chaining is implemented across macroblocks, then security is improved through propagation, but processing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chaining mechanism operates on segmented macroblocks rather than individual blocks, reducing the frequency of chaining operations and their associated overhead. By processing multiple blocks within each macroblock independently before applying chaining at the macroblock level, the system maintains security propagation while reducing overall processing complexity compared to block-by-block chaining.
Data Source
AI summary
An encryption system and method has processors and a memory system, the memory system configured to hold at least one macroblock, an encryption key, and machine readable instructions for encrypting the macroblock. The instructions include instructions for dividing the macroblock into at subblocks by rows and encrypting the rows, for dividing the macroblock into subblocks by columns and encrypting the columns, and for performing a combining cipher of the first, second, third and fourth cipher blocks to produce a final ciphertext of the macroblock. In alternative embodiments, the macroblock is divided in a third, or fourth dimension in addition to rows and columns. In embodiments, ciphertext is chained by using it ciphertext as part of a key for later macroblocks of a sequence, or propagated into later sequences of macroblocks.