Reliability Path Determination for Secure Device Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in assessing the reliability of computing devices that are not directly connected and have not agreed upon a common authentication or trust protocol, making it difficult for them to interact securely, especially when made by different manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a distributed database, such as a blockchain, to determine a reliability path between computing devices by maintaining and verifying reliability associations, allowing devices to generate a symmetric key for secure interaction even if they have no prior relationship.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital certificates or token verification are used to ensure secure communication, then reliability of interaction is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of interaction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a distributed database (blockchain) as an intermediary that stores and verifies reliability associations between devices. Instead of requiring direct authentication between every pair of devices, the system uses the blockchain as a mediator to prove trust relationships, simplifying the authentication process while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing reliability associations between devices and storing them in the distributed database before actual communication occurs. This allows devices to quickly verify trust relationships without performing complex real-time authentication, reducing interaction complexity.
2Reliability
If direct authentication protocols are required between devices, then security is improved, but adaptability between devices from different manufacturers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal authentication mechanism where the distributed database serves all devices regardless of manufacturer or type. Any device can store and verify reliability associations in the blockchain, making the system universally applicable across different device ecosystems without requiring manufacturer-specific protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
By using the blockchain as an intermediary, the system eliminates the need for direct pairwise authentication between devices from different manufacturers. The mediator enables any device to verify trust relationships through the common platform, greatly improving adaptability while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If centralized certificate authorities are used to verify device identity, then trust verification is improved, but loss of time in establishing trust deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs trust verification in advance by storing reliability associations in the distributed database before communication occurs. When devices need to interact, they can quickly query the blockchain for pre-established trust relationships, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time verification with centralized authorities.
Solution Approach 2:
Devices can independently verify trust relationships by querying the distributed database without needing to contact centralized certificate authorities. This self-service capability reduces waiting time and eliminates bottlenecks associated with centralized verification processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are directed assessing reliability between two computing devices. A distributed database may maintain reliability associations between pairs of computing devices. Each reliability association may indicate a particular device has determined (e.g., locally) that another device is reliable. In order to determine an amount of reliability between a first computing device and a second computing device, an ordered combination of the reliability associations may be determined utilizing the distributed database. The ordered combination of reliability associations may identify a reliability path between the first computing device and the second computing device. An amount of reliability may be determined based on the reliability path. An interaction between the devices may be allowed or restricted based at least in part on the amount of reliability between the computing devices.