Provisioning Security Module for Electronic Device Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for secure and controlled provisioning of electronic components such as chips or microprocessors in distributed manufacturing processes, where existing systems lack effective methods for ensuring the secure and controlled provisioning of electronic devices across different manufacturing locations and parties.
Innovation Solution
A provisioning system comprising a provisioning control apparatus, a provisioning equipment, and a provisioning security module that generates and transmits digitally signed provisioning data to electronic devices, maintains a counter for tracking provisioned devices, and manages electronic tokens for secure and controlled provisioning, ensuring only authorized devices receive provisioning data within valid time periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If distributed manufacturing is used for electronic devices, then production flexibility and specialization are improved, but security and control over provisioning data deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A secure provisioning server acts as an intermediary between the distributed manufacturing entities and the provisioning data. The server receives provisioning data from a trusted source, signs it cryptographically, and distributes it to authorized devices. This mediator ensures that even in a distributed environment, centralized security control is maintained through cryptographic verification of provisioning data authenticity.
2Productivity
If provisioning data is distributed to multiple devices, then manufacturing productivity is improved, but control over the number of provisioned devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the secure provisioning server tracks and monitors provisioning data distribution to multiple devices. The server maintains records of which devices have received provisioning data and can verify their authenticity. This feedback loop enables centralized control over the number and identity of provisioned devices while still allowing high-volume distributed provisioning.
3Reliability
If electronic tokens are used for provisioning, then access control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses cryptographic copies (digital signatures) of provisioning data instead of physical security tokens. The secure provisioning server creates cryptographically signed versions of provisioning data that can be verified by receiving devices without requiring complex token management infrastructure. This approach maintains strong access control through cryptographic verification while reducing system complexity compared to physical token systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a provisioning system (130) for provisioning a plurality of electronic devices (180, 180') with provisioning data (150), wherein each of the plurality of electronic devices (180, 180') is associated with an electronic device type. The provisioning system (130) comprises a provisioning control apparatus (160) configured to obtain device type information about the electronic device type of the plurality of electronic devices (180, 180'). Moreover, the provisioning system (130) comprises a provisioning equipment (170) configured to be electrically connected with at least one of the plurality of electronic devices (180, 180') for provisioning the at least one electronic device (180, 180'). The provisioning system (130) further comprises a provisioning security module (140) configured to receive the device type information from the provisioning control apparatus (160) and to generate provisioning data (150) on the basis of the device type information, wherein the provisioning security module (140) is further configured to transmit the provisioning data (150) via the provisioning control apparatus (160) to the provisioning equipment (170) for provisioning the at least one electronic device (180, 180') with provisioning data (150). The provisioning security module (140) is further configured to maintain a provisioning counter indicative of a remaining number of the plurality of electronic devices (180, 180') that can be provisioned with provisioning data (150).