Trusted Security Module Differential Encryption for Avionics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security solutions for avionics and enterprise systems fail to provide fine-grained security, allowing insider threats and exposing sensitive information, as they are either expensive, time-consuming, or inadequate for environments requiring multiple security levels and user identity management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an enhanced Trusted Security Module (TSM) that replaces the Network Interface Controller, utilizing Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) to generate unique key sets for differential encryption, ensuring secure communication channels through split keys and connection keys, and maintaining privacy by encrypting messages with a large set of distinct keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical isolation is used to control information flow and ensure security, then confidentiality and integrity are improved, but cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical isolation mechanisms with cryptographic authentication and authorization protocols. Instead of physically separating systems through expensive isolation infrastructure, the invention uses digital credentials, public key infrastructure, and encrypted communication channels to achieve the same security objectives, thereby eliminating the need for costly physical isolation hardware while maintaining or improving security effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the security model from static physical isolation to dynamic cryptographic parameters. Security is enforced through changing cryptographic keys, certificates, and authentication tokens that can be updated remotely without physical reconfiguration, allowing the system to adapt security parameters based on threat levels and user roles rather than relying on fixed physical barriers
2Reliability
If logical isolation using CIPSO or CALIPSO is implemented, then network traffic isolation is improved, but fine-grained security for multiple users is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments security controls into multiple independent layers: authentication segmentation (separating identity verification from authorization), authorization segmentation (separating permission granting from resource access), and encryption segmentation (separating key management from data protection). This layered segmentation enables fine-grained security policies for individual users while maintaining overall network isolation, addressing the limitation of coarse-grained logical isolation protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cryptographic intermediaries including certificate authorities, key distribution centers, and authentication servers that mediate between users and network resources. These intermediary components enable fine-grained access control by verifying individual user credentials and enforcing personalized security policies, whereas direct logical isolation protocols like CIPSO lack such intermediary mediation capabilities
3Reliability
If COMSEC encryption with HAPIE devices is used, then network traffic isolation is improved, but insider threats cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing user-specific cryptographic credentials and personalized security policies for each individual. Instead of applying uniform encryption to all users, the system assigns unique digital certificates, private keys, and authorization levels to each user, enabling the detection and prevention of insider threats through individualized authentication and audit trails while maintaining encrypted communication for all
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through authentication logging, access auditing, and anomaly detection systems that monitor user behavior and report suspicious activities. These feedback loops enable the system to detect insider threats in real-time and respond by revoking credentials or alerting security personnel, whereas static encryption devices like HAPIE lack the capability to monitor and respond to insider behavior
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include a Trusted Security Module that creates secure connections using a set of split keys. Some embodiments include the creation of remote and local keys that are distributed to multiple devices. When the devices wish to communicate with each other, the remote and local keys are combined into connection keys to encrypt and decrypt messages. The remote and local keys may be combined in a variety of ways, including appending the remote key to the local key. A key mask may be used to create a connection key by using various combinations of bits from the remote key and from the local key. Other embodiments are described.