Server-Based Encryption for Email Without Client Software
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current encryption systems for digital communications, particularly email, are hindered by complexity, compatibility issues, and the need for specialized client-side software, leading to low adoption rates and security vulnerabilities in cloud computing environments where data is often transmitted unsecured.
Innovation Solution
A computerized system that uses an encryption server to encrypt and transmit digital information without requiring client-side software, utilizing symmetrical and asymmetric keys, personal data keys, and geolocation-dependent security properties, allowing secure end-to-end encryption without the need for proprietary hardware or passwords, and enabling encryption of messages and attachments directly within existing email clients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If client-side encryption software is required, then security is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that performs encryption operations. Instead of requiring complex client-side encryption software, the server acts as a mediator that receives unencrypted data, encrypts it using secure algorithms, and returns encrypted data to clients. This transfers the computational complexity and security management to the server side, simplifying client devices while maintaining strong encryption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the encryption functionality from client devices and relocates it to a dedicated server. By separating the encryption function from the client software, the system eliminates the need for complex client-side cryptographic implementations, key management, and certificate handling, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving security through centralized cryptographic operations.
2Reliability
If specialized client software is deployed, then encryption capability is improved, but ease of operation and compatibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The server-based encryption system provides universal encryption capability that works across multiple platforms and devices without requiring platform-specific client software. The server handles all encryption operations, making the system accessible to any device with basic network connectivity, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining strong encryption through the centralized server infrastructure.
3Reliability
If encryption software is installed, then security is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to installation and configuration time
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting encryption operations from client devices and consolidating them on a server, the system eliminates the time-consuming processes of installing, configuring, and maintaining encryption software on each individual device. Users can immediately access encryption services through the server without any software installation, thereby improving productivity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The server automatically performs all encryption operations without requiring user intervention for software installation, configuration, or key management. The system provides self-service encryption where the server handles cryptographic operations, certificate management, and security protocols automatically, eliminating the productivity loss associated with manual setup and configuration.
4Reliability
If passwords and keys are managed locally, then security control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to management complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary for key and password management, centralizing cryptographic credential storage and management. Instead of requiring users to locally manage sensitive keys and passwords, the server securely stores and manages these credentials, providing automated authentication and encryption key distribution. This maintains security control through centralized management while dramatically improving ease of operation by eliminating local key management responsibilities from users.
Data Source
AI summary
A computerized system for encryption and transmission of digital information comprising: a set of non-transitory computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, preform the steps of: receiving a data set from an instance of a sender browser running on a sender computer device, verifying that a recipient is a subscriber and if the recipient is a subscriber, generating a sender key, encrypting a portion of the data set with the sender key, generating a key pair having a first key and a second key, encrypting the sender key with the first key, encrypting the second key with a master key, and, generating a hyperlink to the portion of the data set that is encrypted.