SSL Certificate Escrow for Rapid DDoS Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing a private key to a third-party mitigation service provider for SSL DDoS attack mitigation pose security and audit risks, as they either require pre-sharing the key, which can lead to unauthorized access, or delay key distribution during an attack due to procedural complexities and lack of efficient secure distribution methods.
Innovation Solution
A secure SSL certificate escrow service that allows a private key holder to upload an encrypted copy of their private key and provide a passcode to the escrow service provider for decryption only when necessary, enabling quick and controlled access during attacks while maintaining security and audit trails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the private key is provided to the mitigation service provider in advance, then the mitigation service provider can quickly utilize the key to mitigate SSL DoS attacks, but the security risk increases as the provider may misappropriate the key or unauthorized access may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing secure key escrow arrangements before attacks occur. The private key is encrypted and stored in escrow with pre-configured decryption authorities, so when an attack occurs, the key can be rapidly decrypted and provided to mitigation services without having been exposed in plaintext beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a key escrow service as an intermediary between the key holder and the mitigation service provider. This intermediary holds the encrypted private key and controls its decryption through authorized personnel or automated systems, preventing direct access by the mitigation provider while enabling rapid response to attacks.
2Reliability
If the private key is provided only during an actual attack, then security policies are maintained, but the key distribution is delayed due to procedural complexities and technical difficulties during the attack
Solution Approach 1:
All security procedures, authorization mechanisms, and key storage arrangements are established in advance during peacetime. When an attack occurs, these pre-configured systems enable immediate key release without requiring complex procedural negotiations or technical setup during the critical response window.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated authorization and key release mechanisms that can operate without human intervention during an attack. Pre-configured security policies and automated detection systems enable the escrow service to rapidly provide keys to authorized mitigation providers based on predetermined criteria, eliminating delays caused by manual approval processes during crises.
3Loss of information
If detailed records are kept regarding third-party possession of the private key, then audit compliance is improved, but the complexity of key management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The key escrow service acts as an intermediary that automatically generates and maintains comprehensive audit trails of all key access, decryption, and distribution events. This centralized logging mechanism ensures complete audit compliance without requiring complex distributed tracking systems across multiple organizations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual key management procedures with automated digital systems that automatically log, track, and report all key-related activities. This automation reduces the complexity of maintaining audit records while ensuring complete and accurate tracking of key possession and access events.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing a secure SSL certificate escrow service comprise: providing a secure upload webpage for a private key holder to upload an encrypted copy of a private key; receiving the encrypted copy of the private key from the private key holder via the secure upload webpage; storing the encrypted copy of the private key in memory; providing a secure decryption webpage for the private key holder to enable the private key escrow service to decrypt the private key; receiving an instruction to decrypt the private key from the private key holder through the secure decryption webpage; and decrypting the private key in response to the instruction to decrypt the private key.