Secure Messaging Layer With Masked Access for PHI Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing messaging platforms like Apple Messages and Facebook Messenger lack robust security measures, particularly for sensitive information such as PHI, and do not provide encryption or access controls, making them insecure for transmitting confidential data.
Innovation Solution
A secure communication tool that integrates with these platforms to provide encryption of messages, both in transit and at rest, along with access controls, using session rules to manage secure message visibility based on user authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional messaging systems (SMS, Apple Messages, Facebook Messenger) are used, then ease of operation and user accessibility are improved, but security and encryption capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The messaging system is segmented into secure and non-secure communication channels. The patent implements a dual-mode messaging architecture where users can select between encrypted messages (with security features like disappearing messages and end-to-end encryption) and traditional unencrypted messages, allowing the system to provide both ease of operation and security depending on the communication needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary security layer that operates within the traditional messaging platform. This intermediary component provides encryption, access controls, and session management without requiring users to abandon their familiar messaging application, thus maintaining ease of operation while adding security capabilities
2Reliability
If encryption and access controls are implemented in messaging systems, then security is improved, but device complexity and system requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal security framework that can be applied across multiple messaging platforms (Apple Messages, Facebook Messenger, SMS) without requiring platform-specific implementations. The security features including encryption, access controls, and session management are designed to work universally across different devices and operating systems, reducing the complexity burden on individual devices
3Reliability
If access controls and session rules are implemented, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but ease of operation and user convenience worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing access controls and session rules before potential security threats occur. Users pre-configure security preferences, access controls, and session parameters (such as message expiration times and lock settings) in advance, so that when messages are received or devices are accessed, the security measures are already in place without requiring real-time user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The security system operates autonomously once configured, providing self-service security management. Features such as automatic encryption, automated access control enforcement, and session timeout management occur without continuous user input, maintaining security while minimizing the impact on ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of communicating through a less secure messaging system provides an option of masking messages sent from a second party to a first party so that they are unreadable when received by the first party. For some embodiments, it may be that they are visible, but unreadable, other embodiments, not visible. In either case, an authorization may be provided by the first party to make the masked messages readable messages, for many embodiments until a session rule makes the readable message a masked message again.