Protected Measurement Data Collection via Controllable Pattern Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in securely and reliably collecting measurement data representative of network capability usage within communication networks, particularly in preventing tampering and ensuring data integrity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for combining measurement data from multiple managed entities according to a controllable pattern, enabling validation of the pattern's existence in the combined data to detect missing or modified data due to errors or fraudulent behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If measurement data is collected from managed entities without combining according to a controllable pattern, then data collection is simple, but data integrity cannot be validated and tampering cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a controllable pattern that specifies the order and structure in which measurement data from multiple managed entities should be combined. This pattern is established before data collection, enabling the system to validate data integrity by checking whether the combined data follows the expected pattern, thus detecting tampering or missing data without requiring complex real-time verification mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by validating whether the combined measurement data conforms to the pre-defined controllable pattern. This validation process provides feedback on data integrity, allowing the system to detect if data has been tampered with or is missing, thereby improving reliability through a relatively simple validation mechanism
2Reliability
If measurement data from multiple managed entities is combined according to a controllable pattern, then data integrity can be validated, but the complexity of the data collection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data collection process into distinct components: individual managed entities that generate measurement data, a combining function that merges data according to a controllable pattern, and a validation function that checks pattern compliance. This segmentation allows each component to remain relatively simple while the system as a whole achieves robust tamper detection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The controllable pattern is defined in advance before data collection occurs, which simplifies the combining and validation processes. By pre-specifying the expected structure and order of combined data, the system can use straightforward comparison logic to detect tampering, avoiding the need for complex real-time analysis algorithms
3Adaptability or versatility
If license enforcement is based on monitoring usage data, then commercial flexibility is improved, but security against fraudulent behavior deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a controllable pattern that mediates between the flexible monitoring-based licensing system and the need for security. This pattern acts as a trusted reference that the licensing system can use to validate measurement data, providing security against fraud while maintaining the commercial flexibility of monitoring-based usage control
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided methods and corresponding systems for supporting protected collection of measurement data, representative of usage of network capabilities within a communication network, related to at least two logical and/or physical entities or nodes, also referred to as managed entities, managed by a management system associated with the communication network. By way of example, there is provided a method comprising the step of combining (S1) measurement data related to a set of at least two of the managed entities according to a controllable and/or detectable pattern. The controllable pattern is defining at least the order of managed entities in which the combining of measurement data is to be performed. The method also comprises enabling (S2) the combined measurement data to be collected for validation of existence of the controllable pattern in the combined measurement data.