State Synchronization Manager for Hash-Based Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing public-key digital signature algorithms like RSA and ECDSA are not secure against quantum computer attacks, necessitating the development of post-quantum signature schemes that can withstand such threats, particularly in ensuring the single-use of private keys in hash-based signature systems to prevent forgeability and manage state synchronization across multiple hardware security modules.
Innovation Solution
Implementing robust state synchronization for stateful hash-based signatures using a state synchronization manager to assign unique counter sequences to hardware security modules and utilizing hash-based signature schemes like XMSS, which integrate secure hash functions and Merkle trees to ensure secure key usage and prevent key reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple hardware security modules are used to improve signing capacity and availability, then productivity and reliability are improved, but state synchronization complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the signing system into multiple hardware security modules, each capable of independent operation. The state synchronization manager segments the coordination task by assigning unique counter sequences to each module, allowing parallel signing operations while maintaining individual module autonomy and reducing inter-module dependency complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The state synchronization manager acts as an intermediary component that coordinates between multiple hardware security modules. It receives signing requests, determines module availability, assigns appropriate modules to tasks, and manages state synchronization, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing direct complexity between modules.
2Reliability
If state synchronization is implemented across multiple hardware security modules, then key reuse prevention is improved, but communication overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-assigning unique counter sequences to each hardware security module before signing operations begin. This upfront assignment eliminates the need for continuous real-time synchronization during signing operations, preventing key reuse while minimizing communication overhead and time loss.
3Reliability
If robust state synchronization is implemented to prevent key reuse, then security is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each hardware security module maintains its own state information through unique counter sequences assigned by the state synchronization manager. The modules serve themselves by independently tracking their signing states without requiring complex inter-module communication or centralized state management, thereby enhancing security while reducing implementation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example an apparatus comprises a computer readable memory, a signing facility comprising a plurality of hardware security modules, and a state synchronization manager comprising processing circuitry to select, from the plurality of hardware security modules, a set of hardware security modules to be assigned to a digital signature process, the set of hardware security modules comprising at least a first hardware security module and a second hardware module, and assign a set of unique state synchronization counter sequences to the respective set of hardware security modules, the set of state synchronization counter sequences comprising at least a first state synchronization counter sequence and a second state synchronization counter sequence. Other examples may be described.