Secure Network Device Integration Through Public-Key Provisioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing peer-to-peer overlay networks face challenges in secure key distribution, particularly in large-scale networks, with central controllers being a potential weak link for security breaches, and current cryptographic solutions are resource-intensive and cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a central controller for secure key distribution, where admin keys are encrypted using network device public keys and distributed asynchronously, ensuring only authorized devices can decrypt and verify keys, preventing unauthorized access and tampering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a central controller is used for key distribution in peer-to-peer overlay networks, then key management becomes centralized and manageable, but the controller becomes a single point of failure and a security vulnerability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey managementVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a central controller as an intermediary that facilitates key distribution between devices in the overlay network. The controller receives key establishment requests, generates session keys, and distributes them to authorized devices without being the final destination of protected data, thus maintaining manageability while limiting exposure to attacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network into a management plane (controlling key distribution through the central controller) and a data plane (where actual overlay communications occur). This separation ensures that compromising the controller does not directly compromise the security of established overlay connections, as session keys are independently generated and distributed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional cryptographic suites like IPsec and OpenVPN are used, then security is provided, but computational requirements and memory consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcomputational requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the cryptographic parameters by using elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) instead of traditional RSA or Diffie-Hellman key exchange. ECC provides equivalent security with smaller key sizes and lower computational requirements, reducing both processing power and memory consumption while maintaining security standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cryptographic suites are provided for compatibility, then device interoperability improves, but configuration complexity increases for network maintainers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidconfiguration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal key management approach where the central controller handles all cryptographic operations and key distribution. This single-point management system provides multi-functionality by supporting multiple device types and connection scenarios without requiring individual configuration of cryptographic suites, as the controller automatically manages key generation and distribution based on device capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If public keys are distributed through a central controller, then key distribution becomes automated, but the controller becomes the weakest link for security breaches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey distribution automationVSAvoidsecurity breach risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The central controller acts as a trusted intermediary that automates key distribution through established cryptographic protocols. By using asymmetric cryptography, the controller can verify device identities and distribute session keys without exposing private keys, thus automating the process while maintaining security through mathematical guarantees rather than trust in the controller's security alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4637080A1Computer program product and method for securely integrating a network device in a network, method for establishing a secure communication between network devices

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 INALP SOLUTIONS AG

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AI summary

A method for securely integrating a network device (ND) in a network (N) comprising the steps of: - providing an admin key (AK) in an admin device (AD), - providing a network device (ND) having (i) an identity private key (IPRK) and a corresponding identity public key (IPUK), and (ii) information (I) relating to the identity public key (IPUK) and a unique identifier (UI) being contained in an identifier tag (IT) associated with the network device (ND), - by means of the admin device (AD), physically reading in close proximity the identifier tag (IT), - by means of the admin device (AD), encrypting the admin key (AK) using the identity public key (IPUK), - transmitting the encrypted admin key (AK) to a network controller (NC) together with the unique identifier (UI), for subsequent transmission to the network device (ND).