Software Deployment Certificate Automation with Private Key Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryptographic certificate management systems are insecure, prone to human error, and labor-intensive, as they require engineers to handle private keys and manually request new certificates before expiration, leading to potential decryption risks and server downtime.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically requests and manages cryptographic certificates during software deployment, generating key pairs and signing requests, storing certificates securely without exposing the private key to the engineer, and ensuring timely renewal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If engineers manually manage cryptographic certificates, then they can control and update certificates, but security is compromised due to exposure of private keys and potential for human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the private key management responsibility from human engineers by implementing an automated system where the deployment server generates key pairs and manages certificates without human intervention. The private key never exposes to engineers, as the system automatically handles certificate lifecycle management including generation, renewal, and rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment server performs self-service certificate management by automatically detecting when certificates are approaching expiration, generating renewal requests, obtaining new certificates from certificate authorities, and rotating certificates without human intervention. This eliminates reliance on human memory and manual processes.
2Reliability
If engineers manually request new certificates before expiration, then certificates can be renewed, but labor is intensive and human error can cause server downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the deployment server autonomously monitors certificate expiration dates, initiates renewal requests before expiration, obtains new certificates from certificate authorities, and performs certificate rotation without requiring human intervention. This eliminates manual labor and potential human errors in certificate management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting when certificates are approaching expiration thresholds and automatically initiating renewal processes before the certificates actually expire. This proactive approach ensures continuous cryptographic communication without interruption.
3Productivity
If automated certificate management is implemented, then labor is reduced and reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment server is enhanced with multi-functionality to handle both software deployment and certificate management tasks. By integrating certificate lifecycle management into the existing deployment server infrastructure, the patent avoids creating separate dedicated systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a deployment server configured to receive an instruction to deploy software from an entity and in response to the instruction to deploy software, calling an application interface to request a new cryptographic certificate. An application server is configured to execute the application interface to receive the request for the new cryptographic certificate and in response to the request, obtain the new cryptographic certificate. A secure digital vault is configured to receive the new cryptographic certificate wherein the entity is not allowed to access the secure digital vault.