Pub-Sub Key Management via Ticket Issuance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy pub-sub messaging infrastructure in IoT networks is becoming increasingly complex and insecure due to the integration with the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, lacking effective key management solutions to ensure secure message integrity and confidentiality, especially when isolated from untrusted networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a key management system that uses Needham-Schroeder-inspired distributed key management techniques, with a symmetric key manager issuing 'tickets' or 'mini-tickets' for pub-sub performers, enabling secure key exchange and role assignment, even across untrusted networks, and integrating key management with existing pub-sub messaging layers like XMPP, DDS, MQTT, and RESTful approaches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy pub-sub messaging infrastructure is integrated with IoT technology, then network scalability and connectivity are improved, but security vulnerability and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines key management functionality directly within the pub-sub messaging infrastructure by introducing a key manager that operates as part of the existing message broker architecture. This integration allows the system to maintain scalability while embedding security functions, avoiding the need for separate key management infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The key manager component serves multiple functions: it issues security tickets to publishers and subscribers, manages cryptographic key distribution, and integrates with the pub-sub messaging flow. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating security management into a single component that works within the existing infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If key management is integrated into existing pub-sub messaging layers, then ease of operation is improved, but security risk from untrusted networks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary key exchange and ticket issuance before actual message publishing and subscription. Publishers and subscribers obtain security tickets in advance through the key manager, establishing secure communication channels before exposing themselves to untrusted networks. This preliminary security setup reduces risk while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The key manager acts as an intermediary between publishers/subscribers and the untrusted pub-sub network. It issues security tickets that enable authenticated communication without requiring direct trust between network participants. This intermediary function protects against security risks while allowing seamless integration with existing messaging layers.
3Reliability
If distributed key management techniques are implemented, then security against man-in-the-middle attacks is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Publishers and subscribers independently obtain security tickets from the key manager without requiring complex peer-to-peer key management protocols. Each device autonomously authenticates itself and receives appropriate security credentials, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining strong security guarantees against man-in-the-middle attacks.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes: request enrollment of the device with an identity provider, the enrollment including at least one role for the device for a publish-subscribe protocol of a distributed network; receiving a device identity credential from the identity provider and store the device identity credential in the device; receiving a ticket credential for a first topic associated with a first publisher, the ticket credential including the at least one role for the device; receiving a group key from a key manager for a group associated with the publish-subscribe protocol; and receiving content for the first topic in the device, the content protected by the group key.