State-Aware Cryptographic Material for Secure IT Component Lifecycles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for implementing cryptographic material in information technology systems, particularly in vehicle ecosystems, fail to adequately distinguish between development and productive phases, leading to a high risk of security breaches due to the misuse of test cryptomaterial and inadequate protection of productive cryptomaterial during the development phase.

Innovation Solution

A method that enhances the implementation and use of cryptographic material by incorporating additional data such as conditions, roles, and target component identities, allowing flexible and secure use across various system components and their sub-modules, ensuring appropriate cryptographic material is used based on the system's state and requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cryptographic material is used during the development phase without strict protection measures, then ease of operation and testing is improved, but security reliability deteriorates due to potential misuse or corruption of cryptomaterial

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments cryptographic material into distinct types (test cryptomaterial and productive cryptomaterial) with different protection requirements. Test cryptomaterial is used during development phases with relaxed security measures, while productive cryptomaterial is used in operational phases with strict protection. This segmentation allows developers to access cryptographic material for testing without compromising the security of production systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary actions by establishing clear procedures for generating, distributing, and managing cryptographic material before it is deployed to production systems. Test cryptomaterial is prepared and validated during development phases, and only after successful testing is productive cryptomaterial activated. This preliminary preparation ensures that security measures are in place before actual production use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If strict protection measures are implemented for cryptographic material during the development phase, then security reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited access and testing capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates copies of cryptographic material in the form of test cryptomaterial that mimics the structure and function of productive cryptomaterial but can be freely manipulated during development. These test copies allow developers to test cryptographic operations, interfaces, and protocols without risking the security of actual production cryptographic material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If cryptographic material is not distinguished between development and productive phases, then device complexity is reduced, but security reliability deteriorates due to potential confusion and misuse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidsecurity reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs metaphorical 'color coding' by distinguishing test cryptomaterial from productive cryptomaterial through clear labeling and identification mechanisms. This visual/metaphorical distinction helps developers and systems immediately recognize which type of cryptographic material is being used, preventing accidental misuse of production material during development activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Productivity

If test cryptomaterial is used in the productive system, then productivity is improved by reusing existing material, but security reliability deteriorates due to potential corruption and security breaches

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidsecurity reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12418414B2Method for implementing and using cryptographic material in at least one system component of an information technology system

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG

AI summary

A method for implementing and using cryptographic material in at least one system component of an information technology system for performing at least one operation involves describing a state of the system component by at least one variable is checked at least at a first time. The cryptographic material is supplemented with additional data describing possible states of system components. The cryptographic material is used by the system component when the additional data of the cryptographic material include comprise at least the state that the system component has at the first time. The additional data are formed by at least one condition, at least one role, and/or at least one target component identity.