Secret Holding Proxy for Secure Key Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring operating systems for secure communications is challenging, particularly in preventing key loss due to the complexity of protocols and varying software requirements, which can lead to compromised private keys and loss of trust in cryptographic benefits.
Innovation Solution
A secret holding proxy system is introduced to direct client requests, inserting secrets like digital signatures or tokens into messages and ensuring authentication through recognized credentials, thereby reducing the risk of key loss by maintaining administrative control over the proxy system while keeping credentials secure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PKCS#11 is used in a virtual machine to expose cryptographic primitives without exposing the key itself, then key security is improved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a signing proxy server as an intermediary between the client application and the cryptographic key storage. The proxy server handles all cryptographic operations (signing, verification) using the private key without exposing the key itself to the client. This mediator approach maintains key security while simplifying the client-side implementation, as the client only needs to communicate with the proxy through standard protocols rather than configuring complex PKCS#11 interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cryptographic key management functionality from the client application and places it in a separate, dedicated signing proxy server. This separation allows the key to be secured in a controlled environment while the client application remains simple. The proxy server handles all key-related operations, effectively removing the complexity of key management from the client side while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If various techniques are employed to minimize key loss chances, then key security is improved, but the complexity of implementation increases with varied success
Solution Approach 1:
The signing proxy server serves as a centralized intermediary that manages all cryptographic operations. By consolidating key management, storage, and operation execution in a single controlled component, the system eliminates the need for multiple complex key protection mechanisms across different applications. This centralized approach simplifies implementation while maintaining high security standards, as the proxy can enforce consistent security policies and procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The signing proxy server provides self-service capabilities by automatically handling cryptographic operations without requiring manual key management intervention. The system can autonomously perform signing, verification, and key protection tasks, reducing the complexity of implementation while maintaining security. The proxy manages its own security posture, key lifecycle, and operational parameters without requiring complex external configuration or management infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Client requests may be directed through a secret holding proxy system such that the secret holding proxy system may insert a secret into a client request before arriving at the destination. The insertion of a secret may include inserting a digital signature, token or other information that includes a secret or information based upon a secret, which may include secret exchange or authentication protocols. The secret holding proxy system may also remove secrets and/or transform incoming messages such that the client may transparently receive the underlying content of the message.