Remote HSM Logical Control for Outsourced Physical Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In large-scale IT outsourcing and cloud environments, users of hardware security modules (HSMs) often lack control over HSM devices, relying on cloud providers to manage both physical and logical aspects, which compromises security and trust.
Innovation Solution
A method and system enabling remote control of HSM devices by splitting management into physical and logical components, allowing end users to manage logical operations through secure communication channels using user credentials, ensuring exclusive control and trust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If HSM devices are physically managed by cloud providers in outsourced environments, then ease of operation and infrastructure management are improved, but user control and security trust are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments HSM management into two distinct roles: physical management (handled by cloud providers) and logical control (retained by users). This is achieved through separate credential types - facility credentials for physical access and logical credentials for operational control. The segmentation allows cloud providers to manage hardware while users maintain control over cryptographic operations, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and user control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary credential verification mechanism that mediates between physical access and logical control. The HSM device verifies logical credentials independently of physical location, acting as an intermediary that ensures user control is maintained even when physically managed by third parties. This intermediary verification layer preserves security trust while enabling outsourced physical management.
2Reliability
If users are required to be physically present at HSM device location, then security control is improved, but adaptability to remote operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement of physical presence with cryptographic verification mechanisms. Instead of requiring users to be physically at the HSM location, the system uses logical credentials (digital certificates, tokens) that can be verified remotely. This substitution maintains security control through cryptographic proof of identity while enabling remote operation capability, directly resolving the contradiction.
3Device complexity
If cloud providers manage both physical and logical aspects of HSM, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information control occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments management authority into distinct layers: cloud providers manage physical aspects (device installation, hardware maintenance) while users retain control over logical aspects (cryptographic operations, key management). This segmentation prevents loss of information control by ensuring users maintain authority over sensitive operations even though cloud providers handle physical infrastructure, thereby reducing overall management complexity while preserving control authority.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are computer systems and methods that enable the remote control of a hardware security module (HSM) device. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure enable HSM device management to be split into two components: physical management, which can be handled by a cloud provider or other IT service provider; and logical management, which can be performed by the HSM end user. Thus, a user computing system can be enabled to remotely control a HSM device that is installed in a server computing system that is remotely located from the user computing system.