SECURE UNATTENDED NETWORK AUTHENTICATION

A system for secure network access by unattended devices is described. The system describes how unattended devices that have encrypted data at rest and/or require secure authentication to an open network may procure the access credentials for authentication and/or decryption. With these access credentials, then the unattended devices may exchange information with and/or receive updates from servers on the network.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to secure network access by unattended client devices.

BACKGROUND

Technological advances have made possible an ever-increasing number of different hardware electronic devices designed for all kinds of tasks. Almost all of these client devices involve some firmware, operating system software, and/or applications and/or program codes that require occasional updates or configuration changes. Some client devices may involve data collection and data processing that requires an exchange of information with servers on a network.

Depending upon the nature of the tasks involved, strong security may be required for some client devices. Such strong security may include encryption for the data on the client devices (data at rest) and/or for the data exchanged by the client devices (data in communication). The credentials for strong security on the client devices typically require external information involving users of the client devices, such as passwords, PINs, smartcards, or biometrics. When client devices are unattended, the credentials are not available and therefore prevent the client devices from receiving updates and or exchanging information with servers on the network. This is especially true in cases where the credentials for network access are frequently changing, such as in high security environments.

Current solutions to this problem are either labor intensive or compromise security. For example, when smartcards are required for authentication, such as in Department of Defense (DoD) or other comparable government applications, client devices must be operated by users in order to conduct the routine updates and or exchange of information. This user involvement is costly and labor intensive. Solutions where the credentials are stored on the client devices are less labor intensive but defeat the purpose of the strong security, unless some kind of tamper detection or tamper resistance is employed.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system where unattended client devices can securely procure the credentials for secure network access.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a system where an unattended first device sends a request for access credentials to a second device; the second device then sends a request for access credentials to a third device, exchanges pairing credentials with the third device, and if authenticated, receives access credentials from the third device, and sends the access credentials to the first device; the first device then sends the access credentials to a fourth device, and if validated, exchanges information with the fourth device.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a system where an unattended first device sends a request for access credentials to a second device; the second device sends the access credentials to the first device; the first device then sends the access credentials to a third device, and if validated, exchanges information with the third device.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are block diagrams of the hardware elements of the system in accordance embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematics outlining the initial provisioning of pairing credentials in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematics detailing the procurement of access credentials by an unattended client device in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are block diagrams of the hardware elements of the system according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematics outlining the procurement of access credentials by an unattended client device according to embodiments of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention embraces the concept of unattended devices procuring access credentials for network access and/or data encryption so that updates may be received from servers and/or information exchanged with servers in a manner that does not compromise security or increase labor overhead.

In the present disclosure, “unattended” refers to the fact that the client device is not operated by a user who has authenticated to the device (by password, PIN, smartcard, biometric, etc.) at the time that the client device procures the access credentials necessary to allow the device to exchange information with and/or receive updates from servers on a network. Unattended client devices may procure access credentials by timed or triggered means that are well understood in the art, i.e. client devices may procure the access credentials according to a regular time schedule or in response to some triggering event, such as a notification of new data to exchange or the availability of a new update.

Also, in the present disclosure, “pairing credentials” refer to those credentials which authenticate the client device to a token server, and “access credentials” refer to those credentials which authenticate the client device to a server and/or decrypt an encrypted file system on the client device. The “access credential” includes, but is not limited to, a one-time password, a symmetric key, a public key along with its private key, for instance using the public key cryptography standards (PKCS) certificate formats, or the like.

Further, in the present disclosure, “authentication credentials” refer to those credentials which authenticate the client device and the secure credential device.

In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary system 100 for one embodiment of the present invention. In general, the system 100 includes a client device (CD) 110, a secure credential device (SCD) 150, a token server (TS) 130, and a server (S) 140. The client device 110, secure credential device 150, token server 130, and server 140 may be implemented in any form of digital computer or mobile device. Digital computers may include, but are not limited to, laptops, desktops, workstations, fixed vehicle computers, vehicle mount computers, hazardous environment computers, rugged mobile computers, servers, blade servers, mainframes, other appropriate computers. Mobile devices may include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones, smart phones, personal digital assistants, tablets, pagers, two-way radios, netbooks, barcode scanners, radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, intelligent sensors, tracking devices, and other similar computing devices.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the client device 110, secure credential device 150, token server 130, and server 140 are connected via a network 170. The network 170 may be any type of wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, Local Area Network (LAN), or the like, or any combination thereof, and may include wired components, such as Ethernet, wireless components, such as LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or near field communication (NFC), or both wired and wireless components, collectively represented by the data links 172, 174, 176, and 178.

Note that while token server 130 and server 140 are illustrated in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B as individual single servers, each may alternatively be distributed across multiple servers having the respective functionality of the token server 130 and server 140. And still in other embodiments, the token server 130 and server 140 may also be combined into one single server or distributed across multiple servers having the overall combined functionality of token server 130 and server 140.

In general, the server 140 includes at least one processor 142 and associated memory 144 and a communication interface 148, such as wired Ethernet or wireless such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or NFC. The server 140 may also include additional components such as a storage component 146. The components of server 140 may be interconnected using one or more buses 141 and may be mounted on a motherboard (not shown) or some other appropriate configuration.

Similarly, in general, the token server 130 includes at least one processor 132 and associated memory 134 and a communication interface 138, such as wired Ethernet or wireless such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or NFC. The token server 130 may also include additional components such as a storage component 136. The components of token server 130 may be interconnected using one or more buses 131 and may be mounted on a motherboard (not shown) or some other appropriate configuration.

Further, in general, the secure credential device 150 includes at least one processor 152 and associated memory 154 and a communication interface 158, such as wired Ethernet or wireless such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or NFC. The secure credential device 150 may also include additional components such as a secure storage element 160 and slots/ports 156. The components of the secure credential device 150 may be interconnected using one or more buses 151 and may be mounted on a motherboard (not shown) or some other appropriate configuration. The secured credential device 150 has a wired communication channel 164 connecting it to the client device 110. The wired communication channel 164 may be USB, I2C, or other computer bus. In one embodiment, the wired communication channel 164 between the secure credential device 150 and the client device 110 can be protected by authentication; in this embodiment, the client device 110 stores the authentication credentials in the secure storage element 160 during an initial provisioning process that occurs while the client device 110 is still authenticated with a user. The secure credential device is also fixed in location 162, meaning that it is non-moveable.

The secure credential device 150 is built for tamper detection, tamper resistance, or both. In some embodiments, just specific components of the secure credential device 150 may be built for tamper detection, tamper resistance, or both, such as the secure storage element 160. Tamper detection methods include, but are not limited to, detection of ultraviolet fluorescent chemicals, detection of varying temperature, detection of varying clocking information, detection of varying voltage, and detection of varying electrical signals. Tamper resistance methods include, but are not limited to, the use of a potted material which would destroy one or more components of the secure credential device 150, such as the secure storage element 160, upon removal. Other tamper detection and tamper resistant methods are understood in the art and may be employed herein. In some embodiments, the secure credential device would report the detected tampering and might cause temporary or permanent disablement of the secure credential device. In yet other embodiments, where the secure storage element 160 of the secure credential device 150 implements tamper control that is acceptable and the communication interface 158 is wireless, the secure credential device 150 may further be designed to meet FIPS-140-2 by layering a protocol on top of the base wireless that uses validated encryption algorithms such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). In these embodiments, additional wireless encryption pairing credentials would be required between the secure credential device 150 and token server 130 to derive a link key for the validated encryption algorithm.

In one embodiment, the secure credential device 150 would be a dock for the client device 110. The dock would have the ability to cache access credentials and would include one or more mechanisms for providing user level authentication, including but not limited to: a common access card (CAC) reader, a touchscreen, a keypad, and a display for password entry. The dock further provides the recharging of the battery and ensures the essential constant power supply to the client device 110 during critical software and firmware updates.

In general, the client device 110 includes a processor 112 and associated memory 116 as well as a communication interface 122, such as wired Ethernet or wireless such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. The client device 110 may include additional components such as a storage component 118 such as a hard drive or solid state drive, a location determination component 134 such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) chip, audio input component 124 such as a microphone, audio output component 128 such as a speaker, visual input component 126 such as a camera or barcode reader, visual output component 130 such as a display, and a user input component 120 such as a touchscreen, navigation shuttle, soft keys, or the like, and slots/ports 132 which may be used for smart card readers or for wired connections 164 with the secure credential device 150 over USB, I2C, or computer bus. The components of client device 110 may be interconnected using one or more buses 114 and may be mounted on a motherboard (not shown) or some other appropriate configuration.

FIG. 1B illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment in FIG. 1B is similar to FIG. 1A with the exception that in FIG. 1B, the secure credential device 150 is internal to the client device 110. While FIG. 1B illustrates separate components for the client device 110 and secure credential device 150, in an alternative embodiment, the comparable components from the client device 110 and secure credential device 150 could be the same, i.e. processor 112 and 152, memory 116 and 154, communication interface 122 and 158, and communication link 172 and 178, and there may not be a need for slots/ports 132 and 156, since bus 114 and 151 may be the same. In some embodiments, the storage 118 and secure storage element 160 could also be the same, provided that the combination of the secure credential device 150 and client device 110 still allow for tamper detection, tamper resistance, or both.

FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of the present invention where the token server pairing credentials are initially provisioned on the secure credential device 150 using out of band means. In Step 2A-1, the pairing credentials are provisioned on the secure credential device 150 by a user who manually enters the credentials, copies them from a thumb drive or flash drive, or transfers them using NFC. In Step 2A-2, the secure credential device 150 then securely stores the pairing credentials in the secure storage element 160 for use in future sessions.

FIG. 2B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention where the token server pairing credentials are initially provisioned on the secure credential device by pairing with the token server 130. In step 2B-1, the secure credential device 150 sends a pairing request with initial credentials to the token server 130. In step 2B-2, the token server 130 accepts the pairing request, and in step 2B-3, the token server and secure credential device exchange pairing credentials (i.e. the pairing key). In step 2B-4, the secure credential device then stores the pairing credentials for use in future sessions.

FIG. 3A illustrates the communication flow between the elements of system 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B where the client device 110 procures access credentials from the token server 130 through the secure credential device 150 for accessing server 140. In step 3A-1, the client device 110 sends a request for the access credentials to the secure credential device 150. In step 3A-2, the secure credential device 150 sends a request for the access credentials to the token server 130. The secure credential device 150 and token sever 130 exchange pairing credentials to authenticate (Step 3A-3), and if authenticated (Step 3A-4), the token server 130 sends the access credentials to the secure credential device 150. In step 3A-5, the secure credential device 150 then stores the access credentials for use in a future session. In other embodiments, the secure credential device 150 does not store the access credentials but obtains them from the token server 130 each time the client device 110 needs to access the server 140, such as might be required in highly secure environments when the access credentials may be changing with greater frequency. In step 3A-6, the secure credential device 150 then sends the access credentials to the client device 110, which then sends them to the server 140 (Step 3A-7). If the server validates the access credentials (Step 3A-8), then the client device 110 and server 140 exchange information (Step 3A-9). The information exchanged includes, but is not limited to, firmware updates, operating system updates, application and/or program code updates, configuration setting changes, and customer data exchange.

FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment in FIG. 3B is similar to FIG. 3A with the exception that in FIG. 3B, there is the added step 3B-9 where the access credentials are used to unlock the local encrypted file system on the client device 110 so that information may be exchanged with server 140.

FIG. 4A illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the secure credential device 150 is external to the client device 110 but does not contain a communication interface for communicating with the token server 130 as in FIG. 1A. Because the secure credential device cannot communicate with the token server 130, it must be initially provisioned with the access credentials, such as at the time of manufacture where the access credentials would be included in the operating system image installed on the secure credential device.

FIG. 4B illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the secure credential device 150 is internal to the client device 110. While FIG. 4B illustrates separate components for the client device 110 and secure credential device 150, in an alternative embodiment, the comparable components could be the same, i.e. processor 112 and 152, and memory 116 and 154, and there may not be a need for slots/ports 132 and 156, since bus 114 and 151 may be the same. In some embodiments, the storage 118 and secure storage element 160 could also be the same, provided that the combination of the secure credential device 150 and client device 110 still allow for tamper detection, tamper resistance, or both.

FIG. 5A illustrates the communication flow between the elements of system 100 of FIGS. 4A and 4B where the client device 110 procures access credentials from the secure credential device 150 for accessing server 140. In step 5A-1, the client device 110 sends a request for access credentials to the secure credential device 150. Because the secure credential device 150 has already been provisioned with the access credentials at time of manufacture (Step 5A-2), then the secure credential device 150 can just send the access credentials to the client device 110 (Step 5A-3) which then sends them to the server 140 (Step 5A-4). If the access credentials are validated (Step 5A-5), then the client device 110 and server 140 exchange information (Step 5A-6). As before, the information exchanged includes, but is not limited to, firmware updates, operating system updates, application and/or program code updates, configuration setting changes, and customer data exchange. In some embodiments, the secure credential device 150 could be equivalent to a smartcard that could be used to perform the symmetric or private key encryption.

FIG. 5B illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment in FIG. 5B is similar to FIG. 5A with the exception that in FIG. 5B, there is the added step 5B-6 where the access credentials are used to unlock the local encrypted file system on the client device 110 so that information may be exchanged with server 140.

Several implementations have been described herein. However, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Additionally, the communication flows in the schematics of the figures do not require the particular order shown or sequential order to achieve the specified results. Further, other steps may be provided or eliminated from the schematics and other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. These other implementations are within the scope of the claims.

The following represent exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

A1. A system, comprising:

an unattended first device comprising:

    • a first communication interface;
    • a first control system communicatively coupled to the first communication interface and comprising at least one first hardware processor and a first memory storing program codes operable to:
      • send a request to the second device for access credentials;
      • receive the access credentials;
      • send the access credentials to the fourth device; and
      • if the access credentials is validated, exchange information with the fourth device.

a second device comprising:

    • a second communication interface;
    • a second secured storage element;
    • a second control system communicatively coupled to the second communication interface and comprising at least one second hardware processor and a second memory storing program codes operable to:
      • receive a request for the access credentials from the first device;
      • send a request for the access credentials to the third device;
      • exchange pairing credentials with the third device to authenticate with the third device;
      • if authenticated with the third device, receive the access credentials; and
      • send the access credentials to the first device;

a third device comprising:

    • a third communication interface;
    • a third control system communicatively coupled to the third communication interface and comprising at least one third hardware processor and a third memory storing program codes operable to:
      • receive a request for the access credentials from the second device;
      • exchange pairing credentials with the second device to authenticate with the second device;
      • if authenticated with the second device, send the access credentials to the second device; and

a fourth device comprising:

    • a fourth communication interface;
    • a fourth control system communicatively coupled to the fourth communication interface and comprising at least one fourth hardware processor and a fourth memory storing program codes operable to:
      • receive access credentials from the first device;
      • validate the access credentials; and
      • if validated, exchange information with the first device.

A2. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the second device is internal to the first device.

A3. The system of embodiment A1, further comprising the first device using the access credentials to decrypt an encrypted file system.

A4. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the information exchanged between the fourth device and the first device comprises one of the group consisting of: information to update software on the first device, information to update firmware on the first device, information to update applications on the first device, information to update program codes on the first device, information to make configuration setting changes on the first device, information to update the operating system on the first device, and information pertaining to customer data.

A5. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the pairing credentials stored in the second device are stored in a tamper resistant manner.

A6. The system of embodiment A5, wherein the tamper resistant manner comprises use of potted material which would destroy one or more components of the second device upon removal.

A7. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the pairing credentials stored in the second device are stored in a manner to provide for tamper detection.

A8. The system of embodiment A7, wherein the manner to provide for tamper detection comprises one of the group consisting of: detection of ultraviolet fluorescent chemicals, detection of varying temperature, detection of varying clocking information, detection of varying voltage, and detection of varying electrical signals.

A9. The system of embodiment A7, wherein the second device, upon tamper detection, is further operable to:

    • report the detected tampering; and
    • disable one or more components of the second device.

A10. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the pairing credentials are stored according to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards.

A11. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the pairing credentials exchanged between the second and third device are exchanged by out-of-band means.

A12. The system of embodiment A11, wherein the out-of-band means comprises one of the group consisting of: direct user input at the second and third devices, use of a thumb drive at the second and third devices, use of a universal serial bus (USB) cable between the second and third device, or use of wired Ethernet cable between the second and third device.

A13. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the pairing credentials exchanged between the second and third device are exchanged by use of a wireless communication channel.

A14. The system of embodiment A13, wherein the wireless communication channel comprises one of the group consisting of: Bluetooth and a near field communication (NFC).

A15. The system of embodiment A14, wherein the wireless communication channel is secured with an encryption algorithm.

A16. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the second device is a dock for the first device with at least one mechanism for providing user level authentication, wherein the mechanism for providing user level authentication is selected from the group consisting of: a common access card (CAC) reader, a touchscreen, a keypad, and a display for password entry.

A17. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the access credentials comprise one of a group consisting of: a one-time password, a symmetric key, a public key along with its private key, and a public key cryptography standard (PKCS) certificate.

A18. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the second device is further operable to:

    • send a pairing request with initial credentials to the third device;
    • receive an acceptance of the pairing request form the third device; and
    • exchange pairing credentials with the third device.

A19. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the third device is further operable to:

    • receive a pairing request with initial credentials from the second device;
    • send an acceptance of the pairing request to the second device; and
    • exchange pairing credentials with the second device.

A20. The system of embodiment A1, wherein the second device is further operable to:

    • store the access credentials.

A21. The system of embodiment A20, wherein the access credentials are stored in a tamper resistant manner.

A22. The system of embodiment A21, wherein the tamper resistant manner comprises use of potted material which would destroy one or more components of the second device upon removal.

A23. The system of embodiment A20, wherein the access credentials are stored in a manner to provide for tamper detection.

A24. The system of embodiment A23, wherein the manner to provide for tamper detection comprises: detection of ultraviolet fluorescent chemicals, detection of varying temperature, detection of varying clocking information, detection of varying voltage, and detection of varying electrical signals.

A25. The system of embodiment A23, wherein the second device, upon tamper detection, is further operable to:

    • report the detected tampering; and
    • disable one or more components of the second device.

B26. A system, comprising:

an unattended first device comprising:

    • a first communication interface;
    • a first control system communicatively coupled to the first communication interface and comprising at least one first hardware processor and a first memory storing program codes operable to:
      • send a request to the second device for access credentials;
      • receive the access credentials;
      • send the access credentials to the third device; and
      • if the access credentials are validated, exchange information with the third device.

a second device comprising:

    • a second communication interface;
    • a second secured storage element;
    • a second control system communicatively coupled to the second communication interface and comprising at least one second hardware processor and a second memory storing program codes operable to:
      • receive a request for the access credentials from the first device; and
      • send the access credentials to the first device; and

a third device comprising:

    • a third communication interface;
    • a third control system communicatively coupled to the third communication interface and comprising at least one third hardware processor and a third memory storing program codes operable to:
      • receive the access credentials from the first device;
      • validate the access credentials; and
      • if validated, exchange information with the first device.

B27. The system of embodiment B26, wherein the second device is internal to the first device.

B28. The system of embodiment B26, further comprising the first device using the access credentials to decrypt an encrypted file system.

B29. The system of embodiment B26, wherein the information exchanged between the third device and the first device comprises one of the group consisting of: information to update software on the first device, information to update firmware on the first device, information to update applications on the first device, information to update program codes on the first device, information to make configuration setting changes on the first device, information to update the operating system on the first device, and information pertaining to customer data.

B30. The system of embodiment B26, wherein the second device stores the access credentials in a tamper resistant manner.

B31. The system of embodiment B30, wherein the tamper resistant manner comprises use of potted material which would destroy one or more components of the second device upon removal.

B32. The system of embodiment B30, wherein the second device stores the access credentials in a manner to provide for tamper detection.

B33. The system of embodiment B32, wherein the manner to provide for tamper detection comprises: detection of ultraviolet fluorescent chemicals, detection of varying temperature, detection of varying clocking information, detection of varying voltage, and detection of varying electrical signals.

B34. The system of embodiment B32, wherein the second device, upon tamper detection, is further operable to:

    • report the detected tampering; and
    • disable one or more components of the second device.

B35. The system of embodiment B26, wherein the second device stores the access credentials according to NIST standards.

B36. The system of embodiment B26, wherein the access credentials comprise one of a group consisting of: a one-time password, a symmetric key, a public key along with its private key, and a PKCS certificate format.

B37. The system of embodiment B26, wherein the second device is initially provisioned with the access credentials.

B38. The system of embodiment 37, wherein the initial provisioning comprises the inclusion of the access credentials in the operating system image installed on the second device.

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:

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In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an unattended first device comprising: a first communication interface; a first control system communicatively coupled to the first communication interface and comprising at least one first hardware processor and a first memory storing program codes operable to: send a request to the second device for access credentials; receive the access credentials; send the access credentials to the fourth device; and if the access credentials is validated, exchange information with the fourth device.
a second device comprising: a second communication interface; a second secured storage element; a second control system communicatively coupled to the second communication interface and comprising at least one second hardware processor and a second memory storing program codes operable to: receive a request for the access credentials from the first device; send a request for the access credentials to the third device; exchange pairing credentials with the third device to authenticate with the third device; if authenticated with the third device, receive the access credentials; and send the access credentials to the first device;
a third device comprising: a third communication interface; a third control system communicatively coupled to the third communication interface and comprising at least one third hardware processor and a third memory storing program codes operable to: receive a request for the access credentials from the second device; exchange pairing credentials with the second device to authenticate with the second device; if authenticated with the second device, send the access credentials to the second device; and
a fourth device comprising: a fourth communication interface; a fourth control system communicatively coupled to the fourth communication interface and comprising at least one fourth hardware processor and a fourth memory storing program codes operable to: receive access credentials from the first device; validate the access credentials; and if validated, exchange information with the first device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is internal to the first device.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising the first device using the access credentials to decrypt an encrypted file system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the information exchanged between the fourth device and the first device comprises one of the group consisting of: information to update software on the first device, information to update firmware on the first device, information to update applications on the first device, information to update program codes on the first device, information to make configuration setting changes on the first device, information to update the operating system on the first device, and information pertaining to customer data.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pairing credentials stored in the second device are stored in a tamper resistant manner.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the tamper resistant manner comprises use of potted material which would destroy one or more components of the second device upon removal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the pairing credentials stored in the second device are stored in a manner to provide for tamper detection.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the manner to provide for tamper detection comprises one of the group consisting of: detection of ultraviolet fluorescent chemicals, detection of varying temperature, detection of varying clocking information, detection of varying voltage, and detection of varying electrical signals.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the second device, upon tamper detection, is further operable to:

report the detected tampering; and
disable one or more components of the second device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the pairing credentials are stored according to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the pairing credentials exchanged between the second and third device are exchanged by out-of-band means.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the out-of-band means comprises one of the group consisting of: direct user input at the second and third devices, use of a thumb drive at the second and third devices, use of a universal serial bus (USB) cable between the second and third device, or use of wired Ethernet cable between the second and third device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the pairing credentials exchanged between the second and third device are exchanged by use of a wireless communication channel.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the wireless communication channel comprises one of the group consisting of: Bluetooth and a near field communication (NFC).

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication channel is secured with an encryption algorithm.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is a dock for the first device with at least one mechanism for providing user level authentication, wherein the mechanism for providing user level authentication is selected from the group consisting of: a common access card (CAC) reader, a touchscreen, a keypad, and a display for password entry.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the access credentials comprise one of a group consisting of: a one-time password, a symmetric key, a public key along with its private key, and a public key cryptography standard (PKCS) certificate.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is further operable to:

send a pairing request with initial credentials to the third device;
receive an acceptance of the pairing request form the third device; and
exchange pairing credentials with the third device.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the third device is further operable to:

receive a pairing request with initial credentials from the second device;
send an acceptance of the pairing request to the second device; and
exchange pairing credentials with the second device.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is further operable to:

store the access credentials.
Patent History
Publication number: 20160314294
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 24, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 27, 2016
Inventors: Joseph J. Kubler (Lafayette, CO), Arthur Millican (Granite Falls, WA), Jonathan D. Fletcher (Tekoa, WA)
Application Number: 14/695,923
Classifications
International Classification: G06F 21/44 (20060101); H04L 29/06 (20060101);