Secure Abstraction Layer for Secret Data Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems lack effective methods to securely process and manage secret digital information, exposing it to unauthorized access and potential attacks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a secure programmatic abstraction layer between secure and open processing domains allows applications to utilize secret information without compromising its security, using cryptographic operations and secure key management within a secure processing domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If secret information is stored and processed in a secure processing domain, then security protection is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A secure abstraction layer is introduced as an intermediary between applications in the open processing domain and the secure processing domain. This abstraction layer provides a standardized interface that allows applications to access secure functions without directly exposing secret information. The abstraction layer handles all interactions with the secure domain, maintaining security while providing ease of use to applications.
2Reliability
If a secure processing domain is established with higher security levels, then protection from unauthorized access is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct processing domains: an open processing domain for general applications and a secure processing domain for sensitive operations. Each domain has its own processing units and memory spaces, physically or logically separated. This segmentation isolates secret information to a specific domain, reducing the attack surface while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The secure abstraction layer serves as a mediator that manages the complexity of secure processing. It provides a simplified interface to applications while handling the complex secure operations in the background, including key management, cryptographic operations, and access control. This hides the underlying complexity from applications.
3Reliability
If secret information is isolated in a secure processing domain, then security is improved, but functionality and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The secure processing domain is designed to provide universal secure functions that can be used by multiple different applications. The secure abstraction layer offers a standardized set of secure operations (encryption, decryption, signing, verification) that can serve various cryptographic needs. This allows diverse applications to leverage secure processing without requiring application-specific secure implementations.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for enabling the use of secret digital or electronic information without exposing the sensitive information to unsecured applications. In certain embodiments, the methods may include invoking, by a client application executing in an open processing domain, a secure abstraction layer configured to interface with secret data protected by a secure processing domain. Secure operations may be securely performed on the secret data by the secure abstraction layer in the secure processing domain based on an invocation from a client application running in the open processing domain.