Secure Electronic Message Search via Cryptographic API Decryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current applications for handling electronic messages do not allow users to search for desired text within secure e-mail messages, such as those encrypted or digitally signed, due to security constraints that prevent direct access to the message content.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for searching secure electronic messages that utilize cryptographic APIs to decrypt and search messages encrypted via public keys or passwords, allowing for the retrieval of private keys and passwords to access encrypted content without user intervention, enabling the search of secure message bodies and attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If secure e-mail messages are encrypted to maintain security, then message security is improved, but search capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary decryption of secure messages using stored private keys before the search operation. By decrypting messages in advance and storing both encrypted and decrypted versions, the system enables search capability on unencrypted content while maintaining security through controlled access to decryption keys.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (message store with cryptographic API) that mediates between the encrypted messages and the search function. This intermediary automatically decrypts messages using stored private keys, allowing the search function to operate on plaintext without requiring direct user intervention or compromising message security.
2Productivity
If automatic decryption is implemented to enable search, then search efficiency is improved, but user control over security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically managing the decryption process using stored private keys and cryptographic APIs. The message store autonomously decrypts secure messages when search is requested, eliminating the need for user prompts or manual password entry, thereby maintaining both security and usability.
Solution Approach 2:
Private keys are preliminarily stored in the message store during message setup, enabling automatic decryption without requiring user intervention during the search process. This preliminary preparation of decryption credentials allows the system to maintain both automation and security control.
3Reliability
If messages are stored in encrypted form, then security is maintained, but search time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary decryption of messages and stores both encrypted and decrypted versions in the message store. When a search is initiated, the system searches the pre-decrypted messages directly, eliminating the need to decrypt messages during the search process and significantly reducing search time while maintaining security through the preserved encrypted versions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for searching secure electronic messages. An input search is received for use in searching content of electronic messages. The search includes searching content of secure electronic messages. The results of the search are provided.