Zero-Trust Multi-Hop Authentication with Upstream Credential Validation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-hop systems require direct communication from each node to a central authority for credential validation and revocation checking, which is vulnerable to replay attacks and connectivity issues, especially in networks with limited access.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism for establishing verified and trusted communications between upstream and downstream nodes without direct downstream communication to the central authority, using just-in-time credential revocation checking and mutual validation through a cryptographically signed nonce.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct communication from each node to central authority is required for credential validation, then security is improved, but network accessibility and system complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an upstream node as an intermediary that performs revocation checking on behalf of downstream nodes. Instead of requiring direct communication between every downstream node and the central authority, the upstream node acts as a mediator that validates credentials and checks revocation status, thereby reducing connectivity requirements while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the credential validation function into two parts: (1) credential issuance and primary validation by the central authority, and (2) revocation checking and ongoing validation by upstream nodes. This segmentation allows downstream nodes to connect through upstream nodes without needing direct access to the central authority for every validation operation.
2Reliability
If revocation checking is performed continuously, then security is improved, but communication overhead and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs revocation checking in advance during the connection establishment phase, before actual data transmission begins. The upstream node checks the downstream node's credential revocation status as part of the initial handshake, so that by the time the connection is fully established, validation is already complete. This eliminates the need for continuous checking during data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous revocation checking, the patent implements periodic validation at specific phases: initial credential validation when the downstream node first connects, and subsequent validation at defined intervals or trigger events. This periodic approach maintains security while reducing communication overhead compared to continuous checking.
3Reliability
If credential validation is performed at every connection, then security is improved, but system performance and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The upstream node performs self-service by maintaining local knowledge of valid credentials and revocation status. Once the upstream node has validated a downstream node's credential, it can cache this validation state and use it for subsequent connections, reducing the need for repeated full validation cycles and improving overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs credential validation in advance during the connection establishment phase, so that by the time actual data transmission begins, the validation is already complete. This preliminary action separates the security validation overhead from the productive data transfer phase, minimizing the impact on overall network productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A process and mechanism, such as a system and/or computer-implemented method, for establishing verified and trusted communications between an upstream and a downstream node in a network or across many nodes in a multi-hop fashion, without needing direct communications from the downstream node to a central authority. Only a single node needs direct communications with the central authority, which may be the central authority itself acting in this capacity. Any other node in the network can connect to a node that is already verified, establish mutual trust, and itself become “upstream” to a new node or set of nodes. This process and mechanism can apply to any two nodes that are configured to communicate given the same set of conditions without any explicit or implicit multi-hop capability, however, the present process and mechanism is most applicable in multi-hop systems.