Secure Exchange Server for Cross-Entity Collaboration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for secure content sharing between entities lack efficiency, requiring new infrastructure, software, and processes, and are imperfectly secure, especially when using personal devices, posing barriers to collaborative work across different companies or entities.

Innovation Solution

A networked secure collaborative computer data exchange environment is established, managed by an intermediate business entity, providing a secure exchange server that enables client login authentication, content access, amendment voting, electronic signatures, dashboard management, secure email input, and mobile device viewing, without the need for new infrastructure or software, using a centralized firewall for protection and encryption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional network solutions are used for secure content sharing between entities, then network security can be achieved, but the time and expense of wiring networks and agreeing on common software packages creates barriers to collaboration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a portal server as an intermediary component that mediates content sharing between entities without requiring direct network connections or agreement on software standards. The portal server receives content from one entity, stores it securely, and distributes it to authorized entities, eliminating the need for complex peer-to-peer network infrastructure while maintaining security through centralized control and authentication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If new secure content sharing processes are implemented, then security can be improved, but users must adopt new workflow components and applications that disrupt their normal workflow routine

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidworkflow continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The portal server is designed as a universal platform that can be accessed through multiple interface types including web browsers, mobile devices, and email clients. This multi-functionality allows users to interact with the secure content sharing system through tools they already use in their daily workflows, eliminating the need to learn new applications while maintaining security through the portal server's authentication and authorization framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables users to independently upload, share, and manage content through self-service interfaces without requiring administrative intervention or complex configuration. Users can register, authenticate, and perform content operations through standardized web interfaces that integrate seamlessly into their existing workflows, reducing disruption while maintaining security through server-side validation and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the Internet is used for sharing confidential information, then accessibility is improved, but security becomes imperfect without pre-arranged secure encryption processes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The portal server implements preliminary security measures by establishing secure communication channels and authentication mechanisms before any content transfer occurs. The server validates user identities, authorizes access rights, and prepares secure transmission protocols in advance, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained from the moment of access request without requiring users to manually configure encryption or security settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2842070B1Computerized method and system for managing networked secure collaborative exchange
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 INTRALINKS INC
  • EP2842070B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2842070B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2842070B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for managing amendment voting in a networked secure collaborative computer data exchange environment, the method comprising establishing a secure exchange server-based environment between users of at least two business entities, the secure exchange server environment managed by an intermediate business entity, the users exchanging content, and providing at least one of a community facility, an amendment voting facility, an e-signing facility, a dashboard facility, an email-in facility, a viewer facility, and a mobile device viewing interface.