PIN-Parameterized Key Harvesting for Quantum-Resistant IoT Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryptographic systems, particularly for IoT devices, face challenges in generating high-quality cryptographic keys due to lack of entropy and vulnerability to quantum computing attacks, as well as the need for secure key distribution and zero-knowledge encryption in insecure environments.
Innovation Solution
A system that harvests entropy from user-selected datasets, such as images, using a personal identification number (PIN) and external factors to generate private keys, which are securely distributed using proximity-based communication, ensuring the keys are unique and resistant to quantum attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If asymmetric ciphers are used to enable easy key distribution without secure channels, then ease of operation is improved, but computational overhead increases and security against quantum attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trusted service provider as an intermediary that generates and distributes cryptographic keys to IoT devices. This mediator handles the computationally intensive key generation process, allowing resource-constrained devices to obtain secure keys without performing complex computations themselves, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of key distribution and computational overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms that change the mathematical parameters and structures underlying key generation and encryption. By transitioning from traditional RSA or ECC parameters to lattice-based or hash-based cryptographic parameters, the system maintains security against quantum attacks while enabling practical key distribution to IoT devices
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional asymmetric ciphers like RSA or Diffie-Hellman are used, then ease of key generation is improved, but security against quantum computing attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental cryptographic parameters from traditional number-theoretic problems (factoring, discrete logarithm) to quantum-resistant mathematical structures such as lattice-based cryptography or hash-based signatures. This parameter transformation maintains the ease of key generation process while fundamentally improving security against quantum computing threats
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes traditional cryptographic mechanisms with quantum-resistant alternatives. Instead of relying on mathematical problems vulnerable to quantum algorithms (Shor's algorithm), the system adopts cryptographic primitives based on different mathematical foundations that remain secure in the post-quantum era, thereby replacing vulnerable mechanisms with quantum-safe ones
3Productivity
If symmetric ciphers are used to reduce computational overhead, then productivity is improved, but the need for secure key sharing channels deteriorates security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a trusted service provider as an intermediary to securely distribute symmetric keys to IoT devices through controlled provisioning channels. This mediator eliminates the need for ad-hoc secure key sharing between devices, allowing symmetric encryption to be used efficiently while maintaining security through centralized key management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables IoT devices to autonomously obtain cryptographic keys from the trusted service provider through automated provisioning processes. Devices can self-register and receive their unique symmetric keys without manual intervention or complex key exchange protocols, thereby maintaining both high encryption speed and simplified key distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed for securely communicating between a user device and a target device, which includes a user input receiving user inputs and a user device memory for storing at least one fixed dataset having a plurality of data bits and an inherent entropy. At least one predetermined harvest process is stored in ser device memory, which is operable within a main harvest process to distill the dataset to a predetermined bit length to define a private key of the user at a predetermined key length. A processor operates to execute the main harvest process to receive a unique user Personal Information Number (PIN) acquired by the user and having a plurality of digits associated therewith, and wherein the at least one predetermined harvest process is dependent on the user PIN and the value of at least one of the digits therein, such that the at least one predetermined harvest process is parameterized by the value of the at least one of the digits and operates differently for each value of the at least one of the digits. The processor applies the at least one predetermined harvest process to the dataset to distill the dataset down to the predetermined key length to define the private key, and then stores the private key to the user device. A target device memory and an encryption engine on the target device interface with a proximity-based link. The private key is transferred to the target device via the proximity-based link and an interface on the target device stores the transmitted private key in the target device memory.