Rotating Key Mechanism for Secure Client-Server Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current TLS protocols lack a key rotation mechanism, which is essential for securing digital communications by regularly updating encryption keys to prevent key leaks and potential attacks, especially in client-server applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for implementing a rotating key mechanism that includes sending rotation key mechanism attributes (RKM attributes) such as the number of keys, valid time period, and server criticality level to establish secure communication between a client and server, ensuring key rotation occurs when the valid time period elapses, thereby enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If key rotation is implemented to prevent key leaks and enhance security, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for mechanisms to generate and distribute new keys securely
Solution Approach 1:
The client device autonomously generates new cryptographic keys and manages the rotation process without requiring server intervention or complex key distribution infrastructure. The server simply provides guidance information (number of keys, time period, criticality level), and the client independently performs key generation, rotation, and secure management, eliminating the need for complex centralized key management systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes key rotation parameters (number of keys, valid time period, server criticality level) before actual key rotation occurs. These preliminary guidelines allow the client to proactively manage key rotation timing and process, avoiding the need for complex real-time coordination and key distribution mechanisms during active communication
2Reliability
If frequent key rotation is performed to reduce key leak risk, then security is improved, but loss of time increases due to the overhead of generating and distributing new keys
Solution Approach 1:
The client autonomously generates keys locally without requiring time-consuming key distribution processes. By eliminating the need to receive and verify newly distributed keys from the server, the system drastically reduces the time overhead associated with key rotation while maintaining security through client-side key management
Solution Approach 2:
Key rotation occurs periodically based on pre-agreed time periods and data thresholds established in the initial communication setup. This periodic rotation follows a predictable schedule rather than requiring continuous server involvement, reducing time overhead by allowing bulk key generation and rotation operations to occur at predetermined intervals without interrupting active communication
3Device complexity
If a single encryption key is used for extended periods to simplify communication, then device complexity is reduced, but security deteriorates due to increased risk of key leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically rotates cryptographic keys based on time periods and data thresholds while maintaining simple communication protocols. The key rotation is triggered automatically by predefined conditions (time elapsed, data volume processed), allowing the system to adapt key usage patterns without complex real-time decision-making or server intervention, thus maintaining simplicity while improving security
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption process is segmented into multiple key usage periods rather than using a single long-lived key. Each key is valid for a specific time period or data volume threshold, creating segmented key lifecycles that limit the impact of potential key leaks while maintaining simple rotation logic based on predefined segmentation criteria
Data Source
AI summary
A method of establishing secure communication between a client and a server using a rotating key mechanism. The method comprises receiving a message requesting communication from a client, returning information for establishing communication to the client, including a set of cipher suites supported, receiving from the client one or more selected cipher suites from the set of cipher suites, sending rotation key mechanism attributes (RKM attributes) including a number of keys for rotation, a valid time period for each key, and a server criticality level and establishing communication between the client and server based on the rotation key mechanism attributes. The RKM attributes establish terms for key rotation when a valid time period of an active key elapses.