Peer-to-Peer Key Exchange Without Trusted Entity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic data exchange and cryptography systems require a third-party 'trusted entity' for key management, making them complex and unsuitable for secure exchange of confidential information, especially when absolute control over distribution is desired.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a peer-to-peer network for direct key exchanges between client computing devices, where security measure values are assigned and updated based on transmission conditions, enabling secure and efficient exchange of confidential information without a third-party intermediary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a third-party trusted entity is used for key management, then security and control of key distribution is improved, but system complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the third-party trusted entity from the key management system. Instead of relying on an external key management server, the system implements decentralized key management where each client device autonomously generates, stores, and manages its own cryptographic keys. This removal of the intermediary component directly reduces system complexity while maintaining security control at the client level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service key management where client devices autonomously perform key generation, storage, and management operations without requiring external assistance. Each device independently manages its own cryptographic materials, eliminating the need for centralized key management infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If a third-party trusted entity is used for key management, then security control is improved, but exchange efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the third-party key management server from the architecture, the patent eliminates the additional communication hops and processing delays associated with centralized key management. Direct peer-to-peer key exchange between client devices reduces latency and improves exchange efficiency while maintaining security through client-side key management.
Solution Approach 2:
Client devices perform key management operations autonomously without requiring external coordination. This self-service approach eliminates the bottleneck of centralized key management, allowing simultaneous key exchanges between multiple device pairs and thereby improving overall system productivity and exchange efficiency.
3Device complexity
If direct peer-to-peer key exchange is implemented, then system complexity is reduced and efficiency is improved, but security control may be weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent empowers client devices with autonomous key management capabilities, allowing them to independently generate, store, and protect cryptographic keys. This self-service model maintains strong security control at the client level while eliminating the need for complex centralized key management infrastructure, thus reducing system complexity without compromising security.
4Reliability
If centralized key management is used, then security control is improved, but key distribution control flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the centralized key management server that imposes rigid distribution control policies. By distributing key management authority to individual client devices, the system enables flexible and adaptive key distribution tailored to specific communication needs, while maintaining security through client-side cryptographic controls.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for exchanging keys within a peer-to-peer network. Exchanging keys within a peer-to-peer network may include generating one or more keys for encrypting and decrypting content that is communicated between one or more client computing devices of a network. The one or more keys may be transmitted over the peer-to-peer network between the one or more client computing devices. A security measure value for each key that has been transmitted may be generated and/or updated based on at least one condition associated with transmitting the one or more keys over the peer-to-peer network. Content may be encrypted and decrypted using one of the one or more keys based on a desired security measure value of the key. All copies of the key used to encrypt and decrypt the content may be deleted such that the content is unrecoverable.