Template-Based Credential Provisioning for IoT Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing credential provisioning methods for client devices require prior knowledge of needed credentials and issuers, making them complex and user-dependent, especially in secure ecosystems like IoT environments.
Innovation Solution
A template-based credential provisioning protocol that allows client devices to automatically receive necessary credentials from a provisioning server without user intervention, using a slot configuration template and action items to update the device's configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic provisioning is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A provisioning server acts as an intermediary between the client device and credential issuers. The server receives provisioning requests from client devices, determines which credentials are needed based on target ecosystem configurations, and automatically obtains and delivers the appropriate credentials. This intermediary approach automates the complex credential management process while keeping the client device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The provisioning system enables self-service automation where the provisioning server autonomously performs credential retrieval and delivery without requiring user intervention or manual configuration. The server automatically determines credential requirements, contacts appropriate issuers, and provisions credentials to client devices based on predefined target configurations, making the system self-serve the provisioning needs.
2Manufacturing precision
If prior knowledge of credentials is required, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Target ecosystem configurations are predetermined and stored in a configuration database before actual provisioning occurs. These pre-defined configurations specify which credentials are needed for each ecosystem, eliminating the need for manufacturers to manually determine credential requirements for each device. The preliminary preparation of configuration data simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The provisioning server serves as an intermediary that uses pre-configured target ecosystem configurations to automatically determine which credentials each client device needs. This approach replaces manual manufacturer knowledge with an automated system that references predefined configurations, making manufacturing easier while maintaining the precision of correct credential provisioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A certificate re-provisioning (CREP) protocol allows a client device to communicate with a provisioning server and be automatically provisioned, or re-provisioned, with needed credentials without the client device being aware of which credentials it needs. The CREP protocol uses a slot configuration template that defines which credentials are installed on the client device and the provisioning server responds with actions to provision the client device according to a client target configuration stored at the server.