Re-Encryption Server for Secure IoT Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
The security of data communication between IoT devices and application servers is compromised if the decryption key is stolen from the application server, as it can lead to unauthorized access to the IoT device's encryption key and protected data.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a re-encryption server that decrypts and re-encrypts data transmitted from an IoT device to an application server, using a trusted intermediary entity to ensure secure communication without sharing the IoT device's decryption keys with the application server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the application server stores the decryption key for IoT device data, then the application server can decrypt and access the data, but the security is compromised if the decryption key is stolen from the application server
Solution Approach 1:
A re-encryption server is introduced as an intermediary between the IoT device and the application server. The re-encryption server holds the decryption key and performs decryption operations, while the application server only stores encryption keys. This mediator architecture allows the application server to access data without directly possessing sensitive decryption keys, resolving the contradiction between data accessibility and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryptographic key management is segmented into multiple components: encryption keys stored on the application server, decryption keys stored on the re-encryption server, and session keys for temporary operations. This segmentation distributes trust and reduces the security risk concentration, allowing the system to maintain both accessibility and security.
2Productivity
If the decryption key is stored on the application server, then data can be decrypted and processed, but any cryptographic keys captured by an attacker will compromise the IoT device and its protected communication
Solution Approach 1:
The re-encryption server acts as a secure intermediary that handles decryption operations using stored decryption keys, while the application server only handles encryption-key-based operations. This separation ensures that even if the application server is compromised, attackers cannot obtain decryption keys or compromise the IoT device's security.
Solution Approach 2:
Decryption keys are pre-stored on the re-encryption server rather than on the application server. This preliminary placement of sensitive keys on a dedicated secure infrastructure prevents attackers from capturing decryption keys during application server operations, maintaining security while enabling efficient data processing.
3Reliability
If a re-encryption server is introduced to decrypt and re-encrypt data, then security is improved by not sharing decryption keys with the application server, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the re-encryption server adds a component to the architecture, it consolidates multiple security functions into a single dedicated infrastructure. The server handles key management, decryption, re-encryption, and session key generation, which simplifies the overall security architecture compared to distributing these functions across multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The re-encryption server performs multiple security-critical functions: storing decryption keys, decrypting incoming data, generating session keys, re-encrypting data for the application server, and managing key lifecycles. This multi-functionality in a single component reduces the need for multiple separate security devices, balancing complexity with security improvements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for securely transmitting data from an IoT device to an application server via a telecommunication network, wherein a re-encryption server decrypts data encrypted by the IoT device and re-encrypts the decrypted data by an encryption key of the application server in such a way that the application server can obtain the data by decrypting the re-encrypted data. A re-encryption server is configured to enable secure transmission of data from an IoT device to an application server via a telecommunication network, and includes a cryptography means configured to decrypt data encrypted by the IoT device and to re-encrypt the decrypted data by an encryption key of the application server in such a way that the application server can obtain the data by decrypting the re-encrypted data. A system is configured for secure transmission of data from an IoT device to an application server via a telecommunication network.