Zero-Knowledge IAM Integration Through Secure-Enclave Key Escrow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating Identity Access Management (IAM) infrastructure with zero-knowledge services poses security vulnerabilities, particularly when applications handling sensitive data are integrated with Single-Sign-On (SSO) or SCIM, as the service provider can access user secret keys, compromising data security.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Key Escrow (KE) service using a secure enclave technology, such as a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), hosted by a service provider without allowing access to cryptographic keys, and utilizing a Key Management Service (KMS) to securely store and manage user secret keys, ensuring the service provider cannot access or decrypt user data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Identity Access Management (IAM) infrastructure is integrated with zero-knowledge services, then user authentication and access control are improved, but service provider access to user secret keys increases compromising security
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the authentication process into two independent parts: the zero-knowledge service handles secret key generation and storage, while the IAM infrastructure handles authentication verification. This segmentation ensures that the service provider cannot access user secret keys as they are never transmitted to the IAM system.
Solution Approach 2:
A cryptographic intermediary mechanism is introduced where the zero-knowledge service acts as a mediator between the user and IAM infrastructure. The service generates authentication proofs that verify user identity without revealing secret keys, thereby preventing the service provider from accessing sensitive cryptographic material.
2Reliability
If secure enclave technology is used to manage cryptographic keys, then data security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secure enclave is configured to automatically generate, store, and manage cryptographic keys without requiring external intervention or complex configuration. The system performs self-service operations including key generation, encryption, and authentication proof creation, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining high security standards.
3Reliability
If zero-knowledge architecture is maintained while enabling SSO, then data confidentiality is improved, but integration capability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the cryptographic parameters by using different key types for different purposes: asymmetric keys for SSO authentication proofs and symmetric keys for data encryption. This parameter differentiation enables seamless SSO integration while maintaining zero-knowledge architecture and data confidentiality.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for protecting user data using a key escrow service. The key escrow service may be hosted by a service provider to integrate Identity Access Management (IAM) solutions, such as Single-Sign-On (SSO) and/or System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM), with a zero-knowledge service, such as a password manager or other service handling sensitive user data. In examples, secure enclave technology may be used to allow the service provider to host and manage the key escrow service without being able to access any cryptographic key used and/or stored within a secure enclave. Accordingly, in some aspects, the service provider may have the ability to store users' secret keys for SSO and sharing keys for SCIM in a trusted, secure storage location without breaking the zero-knowledge principles of the infrastructure.