Server-Side Key Distribution for Secure Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic communication systems rely on complex and vulnerable authentication processes that require multiple validation steps, making them susceptible to hacking and compromising user privacy, especially when personal identifying information is exchanged over insecure connections.
Innovation Solution
The system leverages a pre-existing relationship between agents to establish a secure communication channel using cryptographic keys, allowing for authentication of activities outside the secure channel without exchanging personal identifying information over potentially vulnerable connections, by generating absolute and partial relative keys and using mathematical functions to create encryption keys for secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If browser-run authentication with certificates is used to validate identities, then authentication capability is provided, but system vulnerability increases due to multiple validation steps that are easy to falsify
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication capability from the vulnerable browser-run certificate validation process and relocates it to a secure server-side key distribution system. The server generates and manages cryptographic keys centrally, removing the need for clients to perform complex certificate validations that are susceptible to falsification attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a trusted server as an intermediary between communication parties. This server acts as a key distribution center that securely generates and shares cryptographic keys without requiring the vulnerable certificate validation chain. The intermediary eliminates the need for multiple intermediate validation steps by providing a single trusted authority.
2Ease of operation
If the service provider's website uses the same encryption key for every connection, then key management is simplified, but security risk increases because a single intercepted communication compromises all subsequent communications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single encryption key into multiple session-specific cryptographic keys generated through a secure key distribution process. Each communication session receives a unique key pair from the server, ensuring that compromise of one session's keys does not affect other sessions. This maintains operational simplicity through automated key management while eliminating the security risk of key reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static encryption key used for all connections to dynamic session-specific keys that are generated and distributed securely for each communication session. The key distribution system automatically manages the creation, distribution, and expiration of these dynamic keys, maintaining ease of operation through automation while significantly improving security.
3Reliability
If personal identifying information is exchanged over encrypted connections, then authentication is completed, but data breach risk increases if the encryption is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts personal identifying information from the authentication exchange process. Instead of transmitting sensitive PII over network connections, the system uses server-generated cryptographic keys and tokens that authenticate identities without exposing personal data. The authentication capability is maintained while the harmful personal information is removed from the transmission channel.
4Reliability
If call center employees verify customer identity through personal information, then identity verification is achieved, but customer privacy is compromised as customers cannot verify employee authenticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secure communication channel with cryptographic authentication as an intermediary between customer and call center employee. This intermediary enables mutual verification of authenticity through cryptographic proofs without requiring customers to share personal identifying information with employees, thus maintaining both verification reliability and customer privacy.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a computing system that is configured to receive, from an electronic device, a verification message indicating that the electronic device is not corrupt. The computing system is also configured to receive, from the electronic device, a unique universal identifier (UUID) that is associated with an application stored in a memory of the electronic device. The computing system is further configured to receive, from a management server of the one or more management servers, a server key stored in a credential store and that is associated with the UUID received from the electronic device. In addition, the computing system is configured to establish one or more secure channels for electronic data communication with the electronic device based on the received UUID and the server key.