Security Appliqué Isolates Wireless Device SDE Without Hardware Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communications devices face significant security challenges due to frequent hardware, software, and firmware releases, short market lifecycles, user downloadable malware, lack of security features, and unmanaged access to corporate resources, particularly in tactical environments, leading to vulnerabilities and complexities in securing classified data.

Innovation Solution

A security appliqué provides a secure deployment environment (SDE) for wireless communications devices without hardware modifications, using a security module thin client that isolates security features and utilizes existing device capabilities through a standard interface, offering secure access and protection against tampering and malware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hardware modifications are made to wireless communications devices to improve security, then security features are enhanced, but device compatibility and ease of deployment are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidhardware modifications
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The security functionality is segmented from the wireless device itself and placed in a separate security appliance. The appliance contains the security features (encryption, authentication, etc.) as distinct modules that can be independently managed and updated without affecting the core device hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A security appliance acts as an intermediary between the wireless device and the network/corporate resources. It mediates all security-related operations, providing authentication, encryption, and threat detection without requiring modifications to the device's internal hardware architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If security features are added to wireless devices, then protection against threats is improved, but device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity protectionVSAvoidsecurity features
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple security functions (firewall, intrusion detection, encryption, authentication) are merged into a single external security appliance. This consolidates complexity into one device rather than distributing it across multiple components within each wireless device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The security appliance provides universal security services to multiple wireless devices simultaneously. A single appliance can protect numerous devices across different platforms and applications, eliminating the need for each device to have dedicated security hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If frequent hardware and software releases are supported, then device adaptability is improved, but security certification and maintenance time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice updatesVSAvoidcertification and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Security policies, encryption keys, and authentication mechanisms are pre-configured in the security appliance. When new devices are deployed or updated, they automatically inherit these pre-established security settings, eliminating the need for time-consuming recertification processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The security appliance dynamically adapts to new devices and threats without requiring static reconfiguration. It can automatically update security policies, detect new threat patterns, and adjust protection levels in real-time, maintaining security across frequent device releases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If encryption and authentication are implemented, then data security is improved, but vulnerability to inside threats and complexity of implementation remain

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

Solution Approach 1:

The security appliance implements continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms that detect authentication anomalies, encryption key usage patterns, and potential insider threats. It provides real-time feedback to administrators about security events, enabling rapid response to both external and internal threats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9098696B2Appliqué providing a secure deployment environment (SDE) for a wireless communications device
Publication Date: 2015.08.04 RAYTHEON CO
  • US9098696B2 patent drawing
  • US9098696B2 patent drawing
  • US9098696B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A security appliqué provides a secure deployment environment (SDE) for a wireless communications device. The Security appliqué isolates the security features, requirements, and information security boundaries such that no hardware modifications are required to a wireless communications device. Rather, a security module thin client is provided to the wireless communications device to provide the Secure Deployment Environment (SDE). The wireless communications device is coupled to the security appliqué via the standard connection interface. Through the standard connection interface, the security appliqué provides the SDE for the wireless communications device without implementing modifications to the wireless communications device.