Sensitive-Data-Aware Encoding with Goal-Task Feature Pruning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Machine learning models, particularly deep neural networks, require significant resources for training, and transmitting training data to a Machine Learning as a Service (MLaaS) provider can expose sensitive information to malicious actors who can discern sensitive data from encoded features.

Innovation Solution

A method to identify and prune features in a data space that are not relevant to the goal task, protecting sensitive information by transmitting a pruned data space to the provider, which includes defining sensitive and goal subspaces and removing irrelevant features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If all features in the data space are transmitted to the MLaaS provider, then the training accuracy of the machine learning model is improved, but the risk of sensitive information exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining accuracyVSAvoidsensitive information exposure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The data space is segmented into multiple subspaces based on feature relevance. The method identifies and separates features relevant to the goal task from those that are not, creating distinct subspaces that can be selectively transmitted. This segmentation allows the system to transmit only necessary features to the MLaaS provider, maintaining training accuracy while reducing sensitive information exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The method extracts and removes features from the data space that are not relevant to the goal task. By identifying features that do not contribute to the training objective and removing them before transmission, the system eliminates potential vectors for sensitive information leakage while preserving the integrity and accuracy of the training data that remains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If features relevant to sensitive information are removed from the data space, then the sensitive information exposure risk is reduced, but the training accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensitive information exposure riskVSAvoidtraining accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary analysis of the data space to identify feature relevance to the goal task before transmission. By pre-processing the data to determine which features are essential for training accuracy and which are not, the system can confidently remove non-essential features without compromising model performance. This preliminary action ensures that only truly necessary features are retained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to evaluate the impact of feature removal on training accuracy. By monitoring model performance metrics during the feature selection process, the method can adjust which features to retain or remove, ensuring that sensitivity reduction does not come at the cost of acceptable training accuracy. The feedback loop allows for optimization of the feature subset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the data space is pruned to remove irrelevant features, then the bandwidth requirement for transmission is reduced, but the complexity of feature identification increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth requirementVSAvoidfeature identification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method employs self-service mechanisms where the system automatically analyzes and identifies feature relevance without requiring extensive manual intervention. By using automated algorithms to assess feature importance and perform pruning, the system reduces the need for complex manual feature engineering while achieving effective dimensionality reduction and bandwidth optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12462058B2Sensitive-data-aware encoding
Publication Date: 2025.11.04 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US12462058B2 patent drawing
  • US12462058B2 patent drawing
  • US12462058B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Submitting a data space to a provider can risk exposing sensitive information in the data space. To protect the sensitive information, the data space can be analyzed to identify features that are relevant to sensitive information and features that are relevant to a goal task. Features that are relevant to the sensitive information but are not relevant to the goal task can be pruned from the data space, and the pruned data space can be transmitted to the provider.