UAV Security Key with External Private-Key Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face risks of data compromise due to potential loss or tampering, especially when storing sensitive media data like video, as existing systems do not adequately protect the private keys used for decryption.
Innovation Solution
A security key device with a private key stored in a secure element is used to encrypt and decrypt media data on the UAV, ensuring the private key is never stored on the UAV itself, and is only accessed via a serial port connector for decryption after landing, with the symmetric key being deleted from memory before takeoff to prevent exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the private key is stored on the UAV for decryption, then decryption operations can be performed autonomously, but the risk of data compromise increases if the UAV is lost or tampered with
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the key storage function from the UAV by using an external key device connected via serial port. The private key is stored in the external device rather than on the UAV itself, separating the decryption capability from the vulnerable platform while maintaining operational functionality through external key access.
Solution Approach 2:
An external key device serves as an intermediary between the UAV and the private key. This mediator allows decryption operations to occur without storing the private key on the UAV, enabling autonomous decryption capability while maintaining data security through the intermediate security layer.
2Speed
If the symmetric key is retained in memory for continuous decryption, then decryption speed is improved, but the risk of key exposure increases if the UAV is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary decryption of media data before the UAV takes off or when compromise is detected. By decrypting data in advance and storing it in secure locations, the system maintains fast access to decrypted data without needing to retain the symmetric key in memory during flight, thus improving speed while reducing exposure risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The symmetric key is periodically refreshed or rotated, and decryption operations are performed in periodic batches rather than continuously holding the key in memory. This approach maintains acceptable decryption speed through periodic processing while minimizing the time window for potential key exposure.
3Reliability
If encryption and decryption operations are performed externally, then data security is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional connectors and protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal serial port connector that serves multiple functions: it connects the external key device, provides power, and enables communication. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate dedicated connectors for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining secure external encryption/decryption capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods using a security key for an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, some methods include during flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle, encrypting, using a public key stored by the unmanned aerial vehicle, a symmetric key that is used to encrypt media data captured using one or more sensors of the unmanned aerial vehicle to obtain encrypted media data; landing the unmanned aerial vehicle; connecting a key device to the unmanned aerial vehicle via a serial port connector of the key device and a serial port connector of the unmanned aerial vehicle; while the key device is connected to the unmanned aerial vehicle, decrypting, using a private key stored on the key device, the encrypted symmetric key, which in turn is used to decrypt a portion of the encrypted media data to obtain decrypted media data; and transmitting a portion of the decrypted media data.