Mutual TLS Provisioning for Lawful Intercept Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing intercepted communications between a mediation device and a law enforcement device lack automation and require significant human intervention, leading to security concerns and inefficiencies in establishing secure connections.
Innovation Solution
An automated process using a private certificate authority to generate and provision security certificates and private keys for both the mediation device and law enforcement device, enabling a mutual TLS connection to secure the communication of intercepted traffic without the need for firewalls or manual setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If firewalls are used to create VPN tunnels for securing intercepted traffic, then security is improved, but device complexity and manual configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security functionality from traditional firewall-based VPN tunnels and implements it directly within the TLS library of network devices. This removes the need for separate firewall components and their complex configuration, while maintaining security through automated certificate-based authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated certificate provisioning where the TLS library automatically obtains, stores, and manages security certificates and private keys. This self-service approach eliminates manual firewall configuration and reduces device complexity while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If manual setup of mutual TLS connections is performed, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to significant human intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The TLS library automatically performs the entire mutual TLS connection establishment process including obtaining certificates from a certificate authority, storing them securely, and using them for authentication. This automated self-service eliminates manual setup while maintaining security through proper certificate-based authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically obtaining and storing security certificates before actual intercepted traffic communication begins. This preliminary automated setup ensures security is in place without requiring manual intervention during operation.
3Ease of operation
If automated certificate provisioning is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but the need for secure certificate management systems increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the certificate management functionality directly into the TLS library of the network device. By combining these functions in one integrated component rather than using separate external systems, the automation is achieved without adding significant system complexity.
4Reliability
If VPN tunnels with firewalls are used, then security is improved, but productivity decreases due to manual configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The TLS library automatically manages the entire security setup process including certificate acquisition and connection establishment without human intervention. This automation dramatically improves productivity while maintaining security through proper certificate-based mutual authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
Security certificates are obtained and configured in advance automatically before intercepted traffic communication begins. This preliminary automated action eliminates time-consuming manual setup and accelerates deployment while maintaining security standards.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for automatically securing communications between a mediation device (MD) and a law enforcement device, such as an agent's terminal, to which intercepted communications, e.g., traffic, is sent are described. Based on a desired intercept request to be implemented, a Lawful Interception (LI) administration (admin) device (LID) identifies at least a first mediation device (MD) which will be involved in implementing the intercept request. The LID then proceeds to enable the use of a private certificate authority to automatically generate and provision the MD and a law enforcement device with certificates and private keys via an automated process. Each of the MD and law enforcement device automatically obtain a security certificate and corresponding private key. The security certificates and corresponding private keys are then used, in an automated manner, to establish a mutual TLS connection between the MD and the law enforcement device.