Automated Trust Chain Versioning for Certificate Rotation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High security industries require frequent rotation and updating of certificates in trust chains without service interruptions, which is impractical for large systems due to the manual nature of current root certificate rotation methods.
Innovation Solution
An electronic processor automates the rotation of certificates in trust chains by creating new versions, updating certificates hierarchically, and managing versioning centrally, ensuring seamless transitions and minimizing manual input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual root certificate rotation is used, then small commercial systems can be updated, but large public safety systems experience service interruptions and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service certificate rotation where the certificate management system automatically detects expiration dates, generates replacement certificates, and coordinates updates across the trust chain without requiring manual intervention. This resolves the contradiction by making the system productive through automation while maintaining ease of operation through self-service capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring certificate expiration dates in advance and initiating rotation processes before certificates expire. This allows smooth transitions without service interruptions by preparing replacement certificates and coordinating updates proactively, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If long lifespan certificates are used, then certificate rotation frequency is reduced, but security requirements in high security industries are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring certificate lifecycles, expiration dates, and security policy requirements. This enables dynamic adjustment of rotation schedules to meet high security requirements while optimizing productivity by avoiding unnecessary rotations and automating the management process to reduce overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by enabling flexible certificate lifespan management where rotation policies can be adjusted based on security requirements, certificate type, and system criticality. This resolves the contradiction by allowing short lifespans for high-security certificates while using longer lifespans for less critical certificates, with automated processes managing the varying overhead.
3Reliability
If frequent certificate rotation is implemented, then security is improved, but service interruptions occur in large systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating replacement certificates, notifying relevant systems in advance, and coordinating rotation schedules to minimize impact on service availability. This allows frequent rotation to maintain security while preventing service interruptions through proactive planning and execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary by introducing a centralized certificate management system that coordinates rotations across the trust chain. This mediator manages the complexity of frequent rotations, ensuring security requirements are met while maintaining service availability through controlled, synchronized updates that prevent cascading failures.
4Productivity
If automated certificate rotation is implemented, then large systems can be updated efficiently, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by creating a multi-functional automated certificate management platform that handles monitoring, generation, distribution, revocation, and coordination across diverse certificate types and systems. This resolves the contradiction by consolidating multiple functions into a single automated system, improving productivity while managing complexity through standardized processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus is provided for updating certificates in a trust chain and managing versions of the trust chain. A first electronic processor determines that a first certificate in a first level of the trust chain is to be updated, updating the first certificate and each certificate in a lower level in the trust chain that is lower than the first level, creates a second version of the trust chain including an updated first certificate and an updated certificate at each lower level in the trust chain, and transmits the second version of the trust chain to one or more entities.