Secure Receptacle Power Authentication System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information security solutions fail to effectively prevent unauthorized access and theft of devices, as they can be hacked or stolen, leading to significant financial losses and increasing cyber-attacks, necessitating a system that intercepts and disables attacking devices at their power source.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses secure receptacles and adapters to authenticate devices by validating a unique key, denying electrical power to unauthorized devices while providing power to authorized ones, utilizing a powerline for both electricity and communication, and a central controller to manage key distribution and authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical possession control is used to secure devices, then device security is improved, but devices can still be stolen or misplaced by the owner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical possession control (mechanical system) with electrical power control system. The secure receptacle monitors device presence and controls power delivery electronically, eliminating reliance on physical security measures that can be bypassed through theft or misplacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary power control system between the power source and the device. The secure receptacle acts as a mediator that authenticates devices and controls power delivery, preventing unauthorized operation even if the device is physically stolen.
2Reliability
If passwords are used for security, then access control is improved, but passwords can be hacked via many nefarious means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces password-based authentication (information system) with electrical power control system. Instead of relying on secret codes that can be compromised through hacking, the system uses physical power delivery control with device identification, making it immune to traditional cyber-attacks.
3Reliability
If encryption is used to protect information, then data security is improved, but cyber-attacks can still breach encrypted systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts security control from the information layer (encryption) and moves it to the power delivery layer. By controlling power at the receptacle level based on device identification, the system prevents unauthorized access before it can reach the encrypted data, eliminating the need to rely solely on encryption.
4Reliability
If a system denies power to unauthorized devices, then security is improved, but burden on system administrators and users increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service authentication where the device automatically provides identification information and the secure receptacle automatically verifies and controls power delivery. This eliminates the need for manual authentication by administrators or users, reducing burden while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal power control system that works with multiple device types through standardized identification and authentication mechanisms. The secure receptacle can handle various devices without requiring device-specific configuration, reducing administrative burden.
Data Source
AI summary
An information security system and method that provides electric power to an authorized user and denies electric power to an unauthorized user. An administrator requests access for a user, and a site controller generates a key/receptacle tuple for the use. The key/receptacle tuple is communicated to a site power source, which broadcasts the key/receptacle information to all secure receptacles in a facility, or other infrastructure. The key is also communicated to the user. The user plugs in a device into a secure receptacle and provides the key via a secure adapter between the device and the secure receptacle. If the key is valid, the users' device is supplied with electric power; otherwise, electric power is denied to the unauthorized user's device. The usage of the secure receptacles are logged and analyzed by the site controller and reports are communicated to the administrator.