Pre-Generated HMAC Authentication for HSM Processing Bottlenecks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems relying on hardware security modules (HSMs) for data authentication face processing power and availability limitations, leading to delays and negative user experiences, especially during high-speed and high-volume transactions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a pre-generated hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) derived from an HSM-generated verification code, which is stored with the user's account, allowing for authentication without direct HSM involvement when delays occur, using machine learning models to predict and mitigate security module unavailability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HSMs are used for secure authentication, then security is improved, but authentication speed deteriorates due to processing power limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating authentication codes using HMAC functions and storing them in association with account identifiers before they are needed. When authentication is required, the system retrieves these pre-generated codes instead of generating them in real-time through the HSM, thereby eliminating the speed bottleneck while maintaining security through cryptographic verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the authentication code generation function from the HSM and implements it separately using HMAC functions. This separation allows the HSM to focus on secure key management while the HMAC generation can be performed by standard computing resources, improving overall authentication speed without compromising security.
2Reliability
If HSMs are used for data authentication, then authentication reliability is improved, but processing availability deteriorates during high-volume transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares authentication codes in advance by generating HMAC-based authentication codes and storing them in association with account identifiers. This preliminary action ensures that during high-volume transactions, the system can retrieve pre-generated codes immediately without burdening the HSM, thereby maintaining both reliability and high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates copies of authentication functionality by implementing HMAC-based authentication that replicates the security verification capability of the HSM without requiring the HSM's physical presence for each authentication operation. This copying approach enables parallel processing and significantly increases authentication throughput.
3Measurement precision
If real-time HSM authentication is performed, then security verification accuracy is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the time-consuming authentication code generation in advance and stores the results. When a user needs authentication, the system simply retrieves the pre-generated code and performs a quick verification comparison, eliminating delays while maintaining the same security verification accuracy as real-time HSM authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses computationally inexpensive HMAC functions to generate authentication codes that are valid for specific transactions or time periods. These disposable authentication codes can be verified quickly without requiring the HSM to be available, reducing authentication delays while maintaining security through cryptographic verification.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, reducing authentication delays related to security module processing may be facilitated. In some embodiments, a first authentication code may be generated based on a first verification code associated with an account. The first authentication code may be stored in association with the account. An authentication request may be obtained to authenticate an action, and the authentication request may comprise a second verification code. A security module request may be generated for a security module response related to the second verification code. A second authentication code may be generated based on the second verification code. Based on a determination that the second authentication code corresponds to the first authentication code, an authentication response for the authentication request may be provided.