Offline Authentication for Biological Analysis Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory analysis systems face challenges in secure user authentication, particularly for non-standard users like field service representatives, due to the inflexibility and insecurity of centralized network-based authentication systems and the need to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data and Protected Health Information.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an encryption unit that generates a user-specific security code based on a user-ID, allowing authentication without storing authentication data locally on analysis systems, enabling centralized management of user permissions and secure access control, even for systems not connected to a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If centralized network-based authentication system is used, then user permission management is simplified, but systems without network connectivity cannot be authenticated
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into two parts: a centralized authentication server that stores authentication data and generates security codes, and local analysis systems that store only public keys and verify codes locally. This segmentation allows the system to maintain centralized management capabilities while enabling offline authentication at individual systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A public key acts as an intermediary between the centralized authentication server and local analysis systems. The server uses the public key to encrypt security codes during offline verification, enabling secure authentication without direct network connectivity between the analysis system and server.
2Ease of operation
If authentication data is stored locally in multiple devices, then network connectivity is not required, but security is compromised and updates are time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The sensitive authentication data (private keys, password hashes) is extracted from local analysis systems and stored exclusively on the centralized authentication server. Only public keys, which are mathematically one-way and cannot reveal the private key, are stored locally. This extraction eliminates security risks of local storage while maintaining offline verification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing sensitive authentication data locally, the system creates a one-way copy (public key) from the sensitive data (private key). This copy can be freely distributed to multiple systems without compromising the security of the original sensitive data stored on the server.
3Device complexity
If centralized static passwords are used, then access control is simplified, but passwords can be hacked and are difficult to update across all devices
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication mechanism changes from storing static passwords to storing cryptographic key pairs. The server stores private keys and their hashed forms, while public keys are distributed to systems. Security codes are generated by encrypting the user ID with the private key, creating dynamic authentication credentials that are computationally infeasible to reverse-engineer.
4Reliability
If access is tightly controlled to prevent unauthorized modification, then system security is improved, but legitimate maintenance personnel cannot access functions
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system dynamically generates unique security codes for each user and analysis system combination. The code includes the user ID encrypted with the server's private key and is valid only for specific systems. This dynamic approach allows flexible permission management where the same user can have different access rights to different systems without compromising security.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for controlling an analysis system comprising: - receiving (101), by an encryption unit (204), authentication data of a user; - in case of a successful authentication, generating (103), by the encryption unit, a user-specific security code (310); - outputting (105), by the encryption unit, the security code to the authenticated user; - receiving (106), by an authentication unit (207) operatively coupled to the analysis system, the security code and the user-ID via a user-interface (217) coupled to the authentication unit; - decrypting (107), by the authentication unit, the security code; - if the decrypted security code matches with the user-ID, authenticating (109) the user at the authentication unit and generating an authentication signal by the authentication unit for permitting the user to initialize at least one function of the analysis system.