Secure Proxy Fleet Encrypting Sensitive Data in CDNs

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large distributed computing systems, securing sensitive data as it traverses various networks and is accessed by multiple intermediaries is challenging due to increased complexity and the difficulty in identifying vulnerabilities, which can lead to unauthorized access and data exposure.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a secure proxy fleet that encrypts sensitive data within the computing resource service provider's environment, using cryptographic techniques like TLS, SSL, and HTTPS, and managing cryptographic material through a key management system to ensure secure data transmission and storage, while decrypting data only when necessary for processing within isolated environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is transmitted over multiple networks and intermediaries in a distributed computing system, then system functionality and service availability are improved, but security vulnerabilities and unauthorized access risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a content delivery network (CDN) as an intermediary layer between customers and the distributed computing system. The CDN securely receives, caches, and distributes content to multiple intermediaries and networks, acting as a trusted mediator that prevents direct exposure of the computing system to external security threats while maintaining service availability and functionality across the distributed architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If cryptographic material is managed through a key management system, then data security is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts cryptographic key management as a separate, dedicated function from the overall computing system. The key management system is implemented as an independent component that specifically handles cryptographic material generation, storage, and distribution, separating security-critical operations from general system operations and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high data security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If secure proxy fleet encrypts sensitive data, then unauthorized access is prevented, but processing time increases due to decryption requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess controlVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary encryption of sensitive data by the secure proxy fleet before data leaves the content delivery network. Data is encrypted in advance during the distribution process, so that by the time it reaches intermediaries or storage locations, it is already in protected form. This eliminates the need for repeated decryption operations during subsequent processing and access operations, maintaining security while reducing processing time delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3556073B1Secure data distribution of sensitive data across content delivery networks
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 AMAZON TECH INC
  • EP3556073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3556073B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3556073B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computing resource service provider may operate a secure proxy fleet within a content delivery network. The secure proxy fleet may protect sensitive data communicated between a client device and a backend service over one or more networks, for example, over the content delivery network to a computing resource service provider environment. The secure proxy fleet may protect sensitive data by encrypting the sensitive data before it is forwarded to a destination.