SIM Module Secure Key Distribution for Mobile Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in securely distributing sensitive data for protecting information exchanged between users without incurring high costs for key computation, particularly in scenarios involving various devices like notebooks, portable computers, and smartphones.
Innovation Solution
The method leverages a secure network, such as GSM/UMTS, and a secure component like the SIM module to generate and manage encryption/decryption keys, ensuring that only authorized users can access encrypted information using functionally identical mechanisms stored on their SIM modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If symmetric cryptographic algorithms are used to protect communication between users, then security is improved, but key distribution becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile network operator as an intermediary that securely distributes symmetric encryption keys to users through the SIM card infrastructure. The operator acts as a trusted mediator that generates and delivers keys without requiring direct peer-to-peer key exchange between communicating parties, thereby simplifying the key distribution process while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The SIM card automatically performs key generation and storage without requiring user intervention. The secure element in the SIM card autonomously manages cryptographic operations, including generating unique symmetric keys for each user and storing them securely, thereby eliminating the need for complex manual key distribution procedures.
2Reliability
If asymmetric encryption algorithms are used to protect keys, then security is improved, but computational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the computationally intensive asymmetric encryption operations from the user devices and relocates them to the mobile network operator's infrastructure. Only lightweight symmetric encryption is performed on user devices, while the operator handles key generation and distribution using centralized computational resources, thereby reducing the energy consumption and processing burden on mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile network operator serves as an intermediary that performs asymmetric cryptographic operations centrally. The operator uses asymmetric encryption to securely transmit symmetric keys to users, but this computationally expensive operation is performed by the operator's infrastructure rather than by resource-constrained user devices, thereby reducing their energy consumption.
3Reliability
If secure key distribution mechanisms are implemented, then security is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing SIM card infrastructure, which is already universally deployed in mobile devices, to provide secure key distribution. The SIM card's secure element is repurposed for cryptographic key storage and management, eliminating the need for separate hardware security modules or specialized security infrastructure, thereby reducing system costs while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The SIM card's secure element autonomously generates and stores cryptographic keys without requiring additional external security hardware or complex key management systems. This self-contained approach utilizes existing infrastructure capabilities, avoiding the need for expensive additional security components while providing robust key protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a sending terminal and at least one receiving terminal, the terminals capable of being connected to a communication network for transmitting an information item from the sending terminal to the at least one receiving terminal. The sending terminal is linked via a secure channel to a unit adapted to encrypt sensitive data using a first encryption/decryption mechanism, the sensitive data being used to protect the information item, and the at least one receiving terminal capable of interacting with a SIM module storing a second encryption/decryption mechanism identical to the first encryption/decryption mechanism, for decrypting the sensitive data.