Nested Encryption for Mobile Agent Path Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing mobile agents in network systems are inadequate, particularly when extending their initial path, as they are vulnerable to attacks and cannot ensure data integrity and confidentiality during migration between servers.
Innovation Solution
A method for securely extending the path of a mobile agent by encrypting the path and data in a nested structure, using digital signatures and unique numbers, ensuring each server can only access its intended data and section of the path, and using checksums to verify data integrity and detect tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mobile agents migrate autonomously between servers to perform distributed tasks, then productivity and adaptability are improved, but security and data integrity are worsened due to vulnerability to attacks during path extension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested encryption structures where the mobile agent's path and data are encrypted in multiple layers. Each server on the path can only decrypt its specific section using its private key, while outer layers remain encrypted. This nested structure ensures that even if one layer is compromised, other layers remain protected, thus maintaining data integrity while allowing autonomous migration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary cryptographic actions by pre-encrypting the mobile agent's path and data with digital signatures before migration begins. Checksums are pre-calculated and attached to the encrypted structure. These preliminary security measures are in place before the agent encounters any servers, ensuring integrity protection is already active when productivity-critical autonomous migration starts.
2Reliability
If existing security methods are used for mobile agents, then some level of protection is provided, but they are vulnerable to attacks when extending their initial path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mobile agent's path and data into distinct encrypted sections, each protected by unique cryptographic keys corresponding to different servers. When the agent extends its path to new servers, only the relevant segments are decrypted for those specific servers, while other segments remain encrypted. This segmentation prevents attackers from compromising the entire agent by targeting a single point, thus reducing vulnerability during path extension while maintaining basic security protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cryptographic intermediaries in the form of digital signatures and checksums that mediate between the mobile agent and servers. These intermediaries verify the agent's integrity and authenticate server identities during path extension, providing an additional layer of protection that prevents attacks while allowing the agent to extend its path autonomously.
3Productivity
If the mobile agent carries data between servers, then productivity is improved through distributed processing, but confidentiality is worsened due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the mobile agent's data within nested encrypted structures where each layer is protected by server-specific cryptographic keys. During distributed processing, data remains encrypted in the nested structure and is only decrypted by the specific server that needs to process it. This allows productivity-critical distributed processing while maintaining confidentiality, as unauthorized servers cannot access the nested encrypted data even when the agent visits multiple servers.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a system, and a computer program product for access control using resource filters for a strict separation of application and security logic are described. The computer-implemented method for access control may include receiving at least one access request to at least one resource from an application; providing a resource hierarchy for the at least one resource, the resource having at least one resource class, wherein the resource hierarchy is defined in a single resource; providing a policy comprising at least one access control rule for accessing at least one element of the at least one resource class; verifying the at least one access request based on the policy through an authorization service; and processing the at least one access request through a service interface.