Secure Device Provisioning via Public Key Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing consumer devices, such as smart appliances and IoT devices, require cumbersome and insecure user interventions for network setup and configuration, which is costly for manufacturers and not user-friendly, while also posing security risks from nefarious actors.
Innovation Solution
A device configuration system that uses a public/private key pair for secure device provisioning, where a public device ID is used to access an ownership record and receive an encrypted configuration payload, which is then decrypted using the private key to configure the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional user interface configuration methods are used, then device setup is possible, but user intervention is cumbersome and security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-configuration by automatically discovering available provisioning networks, selecting appropriate networks, and receiving configuration data without requiring manual user input. The system uses automated authentication through public key infrastructure to securely obtain configuration payloads, eliminating the need for users to manually enter network credentials or authentication information.
Solution Approach 2:
A provisioning server acts as an intermediary between the device and the network configuration system. The server receives authentication requests from the device, verifies credentials using public key infrastructure, and delivers encrypted configuration payloads. This intermediary handles the complex authentication and configuration processes, simplifying the user experience while maintaining security.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual configuration methods are used, then device setup is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-configured with a public key and authentication credentials during manufacturing. The provisioning server is pre-established with the device's public key for authentication. These preliminary preparations eliminate the need for complex manual configuration processes during deployment, reducing both manufacturing complexity and operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration processes with automated electronic authentication and configuration delivery. Instead of requiring users to manually input network credentials or authenticate through complex interfaces, the system uses automated public key infrastructure and encrypted communication to transfer configuration data, significantly reducing operational complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If public key infrastructure is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex cryptographic operations are extracted from the device and performed on the provisioning server. The device only stores and uses its public key for authentication, while the server handles the computationally intensive tasks of verifying credentials, generating configuration payloads, and encrypting data. This extraction reduces the cryptographic processing burden on the device while maintaining strong security.
Data Source
AI summary
A device is equipped with a public/private key pair. The private key is stored in a secure location on the device and the public key is utilized to track ownership of the device by a manufacturer, vendor, and/or one or more provisioning services. When a user purchases the device, a transaction involving the public key associated with the device and the user is recorded. The one or more provisioning services, which are provided access to user information, prepare a configuration payload for the device specific to the user and the device. The configuration payload is encrypted using the device's public key. When the device is powered on, the configuration payload is sent to the device. The device decrypts the configuration payload using the device's private key and adjusts one or more configuration parameters based on the configuration payload.