Offline Data Access via Buffer Network and Gatekeeper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cybersecurity measures are inadequate for securely accessing and managing data stored offline, as they expose networks to vulnerabilities and lack solutions for bridging online and offline data storage securely.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system using a 'cold storage' device that remains offline, with a gatekeeper and disappearing nodes facilitating secure access through a buffer network, allowing online devices to request and execute tasks on the cold storage without direct communication, ensuring the offline storage remains disconnected from external networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If data is stored online or in the cloud, then data accessibility is improved, but cybersecurity vulnerabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidcybersecurity vulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a gateway device and buffer network that mediates between online devices and offline cold storage. The gateway receives tasks from online devices, translates them into offline-compatible commands, and manages data transfer through the buffer network, enabling online accessibility while maintaining offline isolation and security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the data storage architecture into distinct online and offline portions. Cold storage devices remain physically isolated offline while the gateway and buffer network handle online interactions. This segmentation allows data to be stored offline for security while still being accessible online through the segmented interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If data is stored offline in cold storage, then cybersecurity security is improved, but data accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecybersecurity securityVSAvoiddata accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device acts as an intermediary that enables online devices to access offline cold storage without direct connection. It receives read/write requests from online devices, translates them into appropriate offline commands, and manages the data transfer through the buffer network, maintaining both security and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-translating online requests into offline-compatible commands before data transfer. The gateway device prepares task translations and manages buffer network communications in advance, enabling seamless online access to offline stored data without requiring real-time connection between online and offline components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If direct communication channels are established between online devices and offline storage, then data access speed is improved, but security exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoidsecurity exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer network and gateway device serve as intermediaries between online devices and offline cold storage. They handle all communication translations and data transfers, preventing direct communication channels while maintaining efficient data access through the mediated interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If conventional security measures are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but security effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidsecurity effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device and buffer network provide an intermediary layer that implements sophisticated security measures without requiring complex changes to existing online or offline systems. The intermediary handles authentication, task translation, and secure data transfer, maintaining implementation simplicity while dramatically improving security effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11544393B2Securely accessing offline data with indirect communication

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 COLD FORTRESS INC

AI summary

Discussed herein are devices, systems, and methods for secure access to offline data. A method can include configuring a device in a task retrieval state and retrieving a task to be executed on a cold storage device while the device is in the task retrieval state, configuring the device in a disconnected state after retrieving the task, and configuring the device in a task execution state after the device is in the disconnected state and executing the task on the cold storage while the device is in the task execution state. In the task retrieval state, the device can communicate with a buffer network and cannot communicate with a cold network. In the disconnected state, the device cannot communicate with either the cold network or the buffer network. In the task execution state, the device can communicate with the cold network and cannot communicate with the buffer network.