Distributed Swarm Encryption Key Storage via Image Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current encryption key management systems face challenges in securely storing and retrieving encryption keys, as unauthorized access to end-point devices can compromise key security, and existing methods lack robust authentication mechanisms for key extraction.
Innovation Solution
A distributed swarm-based system using image processing techniques encodes encryption keys within images, segments them into multiple components, and stores these components across end-point devices, requiring authentication to reassemble and decode the key, thereby enhancing security through steganographic methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If encryption keys are stored in end-point devices, then key accessibility is improved, but key security deteriorates due to unauthorized access risks
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption key is divided into multiple key components that are distributed across different end-point devices. Each device stores only a portion of the key, making it impossible to reconstruct the full key without authorized access to multiple devices. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining accessibility through distributed storage while enhancing security through fragmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The key components are embedded within image files that are stored in end-point devices. The encryption key is nested inside innocuous-looking image containers, providing an additional layer of security. This nesting approach allows keys to be accessible through normal file storage while protecting them from direct extraction by unauthorized users.
2Reliability
If encryption keys are encoded in images and segmented, then key security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses image files as carriers for key components, leveraging the existing ubiquity of image formats. Instead of creating a new complex storage format, the invention copies key data into standard image structures that are already widely supported. This approach enhances security through steganography while minimizing system complexity by using established file formats.
3Reliability
If authentication mechanisms are added for key extraction, then key security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication credentials are pre-configured and associated with specific end-point devices before key extraction is attempted. The system performs preliminary authentication checks automatically when key reconstruction is initiated, rather than requiring manual authentication steps during the extraction process. This preliminary action maintains security while preserving operational convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, computer program products, and methods are described herein for distributed swarm based system for encryption key encryption using image processing. The present disclosure is configured to receive, from a first user input device, a user request from a first user to encrypt an encryption key; retrieve, from a key repository, the encryption key; encode the encryption key in an image; segment the image with the encryption key encoded therewithin into one or more image components; store the one or more image components in one or more end-point devices; and record information associated with the end-point devices corresponding to the encryption key in the key repository.