Varying Sized Symbol Sets for Brute Force Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current symmetric cryptography techniques are susceptible to brute force attacks due to their reliance on fixed-sized symbol sets, which can be exploited by attackers to decrypt encrypted data.

Innovation Solution

Implementing varying sized symbol sets for encryption and decryption, where metadata defining the symbol sets is generated and allocated along with the symmetric key, adding complexity by subdividing data blocks into subblocks of different sizes and sequences, making it difficult for attackers to determine the correct key and symbol sets used.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed-sized symbol sets are used for encryption, then the encryption process is simple and efficient, but the system is vulnerable to brute force attacks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against brute force attacksVSAvoidcomplexity of encryption process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the encryption process into multiple stages, each using different symbol sets of varying sizes. Data is processed through sequential encryption rounds where each round applies a different symbol set configuration, breaking the monolithic encryption process into manageable segments that collectively enhance security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic variation in symbol set sizes across different encryption rounds. Instead of using a static symbol set, the system dynamically changes the symbol set configuration for each encryption operation, making brute force attacks significantly more difficult while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If varying sized symbol sets are implemented, then brute force attack resistance increases, but the encryption and decryption process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to brute force attacksVSAvoidcomplexity of cryptography algorithm
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the encryption process by varying the symbol set sizes across different encryption rounds. Each round uses differently sized symbol sets (e.g., 2^8, 2^16, 2^32), transforming the encryption from a single-parameter operation to a multi-parameter process that resists brute force attacks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic encryption rounds where different symbol set configurations are applied in a repeating sequence. This periodic variation creates a rhythm of complexity that maintains security while allowing the system to return to known states, facilitating efficient decryption when the correct key is used

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If multiple symbol sets of varying sizes are used, then security is enhanced, but the time required for encryption and decryption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission securityVSAvoidencryption and decryption time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary setup of multiple symbol sets in advance, storing them in readily accessible memory. This preliminary preparation allows the encryption process to quickly switch between different symbol sets during execution without incurring significant overhead, reducing the time penalty associated with using varying sized symbol sets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11777710B2Cryptography using varying sized symbol sets
Publication Date: 2023.10.03 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US11777710B2 patent drawing
  • US11777710B2 patent drawing
  • US11777710B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for cryptography using different sized symbol sets. To protect against a brute force or other similar type of attack, multiple symbol sets having different sizes can be used for encrypting/decrypting data. For example, different portions of the data (e.g., data blocks representing multiple symbols, set of bits representing a single symbol) may be encrypted/decrypted using different symbol sets that include different numbers of unique symbols. Using different sized symbol sets adds additional complexity to the encryption process, thereby greatly increasing the difficulty in decrypting the encrypted data with a brute force attack.