Portable Password Vault Automating Credential Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in managing and securely entering complex and numerous security credentials across multiple systems, leading to increased risk of unauthorized access due to stringent password requirements and the need for secure storage of sensitive information.
Innovation Solution
A portable device, such as a smartphone or smartwatch, serves as a password vault that stores, manages, and automatically enters security credentials, including usernames, passwords, and other sensitive data, while ensuring user authentication through biometric verification and encryption, allowing secure access to electronic systems and resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually manage and enter complex passwords for multiple systems, then security credentials can be kept secret, but users face increased burden and risk of unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects credential requests from applications and autonomously provides the appropriate credentials without requiring user intervention. The credential vault service monitors application requests, matches them with stored credentials, and automatically enters the credentials, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual user management
Solution Approach 2:
A credential vault service acts as an intermediary between users and multiple applications. The service stores credentials securely and mediates their delivery to applications, eliminating the need for users to manually manage credentials across multiple systems while maintaining security through controlled access
2Ease of operation
If users write down or make passwords easily available, then password entry becomes easier, but security is compromised due to potential pilfering or interception
Solution Approach 1:
The credential vault service serves as a secure intermediary that stores credentials electronically without requiring users to write them down or make them physically accessible. The service provides controlled electronic delivery to applications, eliminating the security risks associated with physical password storage while maintaining easy access through automated digital distribution
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of users physically copying or writing down passwords, the system creates and manages digital copies of credentials in a secure vault. The credential service can generate and transmit credential copies to applications as needed, providing easy access without the security risks of physical password storage or sharing
3Ease of operation
If automated credential entry is implemented, then user burden is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The credential vault service is designed as a universal system that can serve multiple applications and users through a single centralized service. The service handles various credential types and application requests through a unified interface, reducing overall system complexity compared to implementing separate credential management solutions for each application or user
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for protecting security credentials (e.g., username/password combinations) and/or other sensitive data in a “password vault.” A password vault device may be or may be incorporated into a portable (or even wearable) electronic device, such as a smart phone, smart watch, smart glasses, etc. When a security credential is requested during a user's operation of the password vault device or some other computing/communication device, such as when the user is accessing an online site or service via a browser program, the request is passed to the password vault, and the appropriate security credential is retrieved, delivered, and entered into the requesting interface.