Regional Cryptographic Algorithm Management in IHS Security Processors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Information Handling Systems (IHS) face challenges in managing regional cryptographic algorithms due to varying governmental requirements across different countries, leading to lengthy firmware update cycles and increased production complexity, which can impact sales and security configurability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system and method for factory management of regional cryptographic algorithms, where a security processor generates a Cryptographic Algorithm Identity (CAI) key pair, issues a CAI Certificate Signing Request (CSR), and receives a signed CAI certificate to activate a selected set of regional cryptographic algorithms, allowing for dynamic adaptation to regional policies without firmware updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple regional cryptographic algorithms are included in firmware to comply with varying governmental requirements, then compliance capability is improved, but firmware complexity and update cycles increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cryptographic algorithm selection by creating separate firmware images for different geographic regions, each containing only the algorithms required by that region's governmental requirements. The firmware includes a geographic region identifier that automatically selects the appropriate algorithm set, avoiding the need to include all possible algorithms in a single firmware image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the cryptographic algorithm configuration to specific geographic locations. Each firmware image is customized with the exact set of algorithms needed for its target region, ensuring compliance with local governmental requirements without carrying unnecessary algorithms that would increase complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If firmware is updated frequently to adapt to changing regional policies, then adaptability is improved, but productivity and update cycles are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple firmware images during the manufacturing process, each tailored to specific geographic regions and their current governmental requirements. This allows the system to adapt to policy changes by simply swapping firmware images rather than updating existing ones, eliminating lengthy update cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single firmware image supports all regional algorithms, then versatility is improved, but manufacturing precision and compliance accuracy decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures manufacturing precision and compliance accuracy by creating geographically-specific firmware images that contain only the algorithms required by each region's governmental standards. This eliminates the risk of using incorrect algorithms in specific regions, as each firmware image is precisely tailored to its target market's requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for factory management of regional cryptographic algorithms in an Information Handling System (IHS) are described. In an embodiment, an IHS may include: a host processor; a security processor coupled to the host processor; and a memory coupled to the security processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the security processor to: generate a Cryptographic Algorithm Identity (CAI) key pair comprising a CAI public key and a CAI private key; issue a CAI Certificate Signing Request (CSR) to a factory IHS, where the CAI CSR comprises the CAI public key; receive a signed CAI certificate from the factory IHS, where the signed CAI certificate is usable to activate a selected set of regional cryptographic algorithms among a superset of regional cryptographic algorithms stored, during manufacturing of the IHS, in a firmware of the security processor; and store the signed CAI certificate.