Trusted Data Verification via Cryptographic Signatures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining data integrity is challenging, especially when data is stored and processed outside of one's control, due to potential errors and unauthorized access, which can compromise the integrity of information throughout its lifecycle.
Innovation Solution
A system involving a presenter, presentee, and a trusted entity, where the presenter generates a signature based on data and a shared secret, and the trusted entity verifies the signature using the shared secret, ensuring data integrity by providing a response to the presentee about the validity of the data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If data is stored and processed outside of one's control (e.g., using third-party data storage services), then complexity and capital expenditures are reduced, but data integrity and reliability deteriorate due to potential errors and unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating cryptographic signatures and hashes of the original data before outsourcing storage. These digital fingerprints are stored locally and used later to verify data integrity without requiring continuous control over the stored data, thus maintaining reliability while reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cryptographic intermediaries (hash functions, digital signatures, and verification algorithms) that mediate between the user and the third-party storage system. These mathematical constructs serve as trusted intermediaries that guarantee data integrity without requiring direct control or trust in the storage provider's security measures
2Adaptability or versatility
If data undergoes multiple lifecycle events (storage, reading, rewriting, transmission), then data utility and accessibility are improved, but data integrity deteriorates due to accumulated errors and potential compromises
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback through verification processes. After each data lifecycle event (storage, retrieval, transmission), the system generates a new hash of the current data state and compares it against the original hash. This feedback mechanism detects any deviations from the original state, allowing the system to identify and correct integrity issues while maintaining data accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates preliminary cryptographic representations (hashes and signatures) of the data in its original state before any lifecycle events occur. These pre-computed verification markers enable post-event integrity checking without interfering with the data's utility or accessibility during intermediate states
Data Source
AI summary
Electronically signed data is persistently stored in data storage. After the passage of time, the data may be accessed and presented to a trusted entity for verification of the data. The trusted entity may have access to secret information used to sign the data. The trusted entity may use the secret information to verify an electronic signature of the data. One or more actions may be taken based at least in part on a response provided by the verification system.