Router Payload Analysis for Selective Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Routers in computer networks face challenges in determining whether unencrypted messages contain sensitive data, leading to unnecessary encryption and burden on virtual private networks, which can slow message propagation and inefficiently use network resources.
Innovation Solution
A network device, such as a router, reads the payload of unencrypted message packets to determine if they contain sensitive information by analyzing the message format and data types, and routes them accordingly, either through a secure or nonsecure path, without relying on a message characterization code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all unencrypted messages are forwarded to a virtual private network for encryption, then sensitive data is protected, but network performance deteriorates and virtual private network resources are burdened
Solution Approach 1:
The router performs partial inspection of message payloads to identify sensitive data patterns, rather than encrypting all messages. This selective approach applies encryption only to messages containing sensitive information, thereby maintaining security for critical data while avoiding the performance penalty of encrypting every message.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by implementing automated payload analysis and sensitivity detection algorithms within the router itself. The router autonomously determines which messages require encryption based on payload content analysis, eliminating the need for manual classification or external intervention, thus improving both security and performance.
2Productivity
If message characterization codes are generated by senders to indicate sensitivity, then routing decisions can be made efficiently, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sensitivity determination function from the message sender and relocates it to the router. Instead of relying on senders to attach characterization codes, the router directly analyzes the payload content to determine sensitivity, thereby eliminating the need for additional code generation and attachment steps while maintaining routing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The router is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a traditional routing device and as a payload analysis engine. By integrating sensitivity detection capabilities directly into the router, the system eliminates the need for separate characterization code generation mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining efficient routing decisions.
3Productivity
If the router inspects message payloads to determine sensitivity, then unnecessary encryption is avoided, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The router performs partial payload inspection by analyzing only specific portions or patterns within the message payload rather than examining every byte. This selective inspection approach identifies sensitive data markers efficiently, enabling the router to make encryption decisions without the time cost of complete payload analysis, thus balancing security accuracy with processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer system, method and program for routing. A nonencrypted message packet is received. In response, a payload in the message packet is read to determine if the payload contains sensitive information. If the payload contains sensitive information, the message packet is encrypted and subsequently, routed to a nonsecure communication path. If the payload does not contain sensitive information, the message packet is routed to a nonsecure communication path without encrypting the message packet. The payload can be read to determine if it contains sensitive information by determining a standard for a format of the message packet, and based on the standard, determining a location of data within the message packet and a type of the data at the location.