Patent Application
20050223216
The present invention relates to the field of computer network environments. In particular, this invention relates to a system and method for backup and recovery of private data roamable between one or more client computers linked via a communication network.
Web services such as Internet sites very often provide information, products, services, and the like to their users. But a major concern to users and web services alike has been the security of the Internet, especially when transmitting sensitive information. Information security is often provided to users and/or web services through an encryption process. For example, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Public-Key Cryptosystems are known Key Management services for communication security. These services are usually available only on a single computer as the private keys must be stored securely to retain privacy. It is desirable therefore to be able to roam, backup and recover private keys.
Existing private-key roaming protocols fail to address end-to-end security concerns and the recovery of data when a user cannot remember a primary password. Accordingly, a system for roaming private user data, while addressing the confidentiality, privacy, integrity, and authenticity of user data and user communications is desired.
The invention relates to improved roaming of private information between one or more clients linked via a communication network. In particular, the invention provides users the ability to roam private information (e.g., private keys) between clients linked to a server without the server having knowledge of or ever receiving the private information. Moreover, the invention provides users the ability to retrieve an encrypted version of a private key from the server, for decryption on a client, even when the user cannot remember a password associated with the encryption of that private key. By providing users the ability to roam private information between clients and conceal such information from the server, network security is greatly enhanced, and, thus, the ability of malicious users to interfere with secure communications is significantly reduced.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for communicating private data between computers coupled to a data communication network. The method includes receiving, at a network server, private data encrypted by a first client as a function of a wrapping key unknown to the server. The server and the first client are coupled to the data communication network. The method further includes storing the received encrypted private data at the server. The method also includes receiving, at the server, a request from a second client for the encrypted private data. The method further includes transferring the encrypted private data from the server to the second client for decryption as a function of the wrapping key in response to the received request.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a system is provided for communicating private data on a data communication network. A server receives private data encrypted by a first client as a function of a wrapping key unknown to the server. The server and the first client are coupled to the data communication network. A database is associated with the server. The server is configured to store received encrypted private data in the database. The server is also configured to transfer the stored encrypted private data to a second client, coupled to the data communication network, for decryption as a function of a wrapping key in response to a request for the encrypted private data received from the second client.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for communicating private data between computers coupled to a data communication network is provided. First receiving instructions receive, at a network server, private data encrypted by a first client as a function of a wrapping key unknown to the server. The server and the first client are coupled to the data communication network. Storing instructions store the received encrypted private data at the server. Second receiving instructions receive, at the server, a request from a second client for the encrypted private data. Transferring instructions transfer the encrypted private data from the server to the second client for decryption as a function of the wrapping key in response to the received request.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for communicating private data between computers coupled to a data communication network. The method includes receiving, at a server, a request from a roaming client for encrypted private data. The request includes a digest or hashed value of an authentication password. The server and the roaming client are coupled to the data communication network. The method further includes determining if a form of the authentication password received from the roaming client is valid. The method further includes retrieving, when a form of the authentication password is valid, the encrypted private data, where the private data was previously encrypted as a function of an encryption password unknown to the server. The method further includes transferring the retrieved encrypted private data from the server to the roaming client for decryption as a function of the wrapping key.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a computer-readable medium having a data structure stored thereon is provided. A first data field contains private data. A second data field contains key data representative of an input data stream received from a user. A third function field encrypts the private data as a function of the key data, and transfers the encrypted private data to a central location for storage.
Alternatively, the invention may comprise various other methods and apparatuses.
Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Referring now to
In this example, data is securely communicated between authentication server 110, client computer system 102, and roaming client computers 106 and 108 using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), a protocol commonly used on the Internet to securely exchange information. More specifically, SSL can be used to implement public key encryption. As known to those skilled in the art, public-key encryption involves encoding information in such a way that only the person (or computer) with a private key can decode it. Computer encryption systems used today include: Symmetric-key encryption and Public-key encryption.
In symmetric-key encryption, each computer has a secret key (code) that it can use to encrypt a packet of information before it is sent over the network to another computer. Symmetric-key requires that you know which computers you will be communicating with so that you can install a key on each one. In order for this type of encryption to be successful both computers must know the secret code in order to decode the information.
In public key encryption, a combination of a private key and a public key are used for coding and decoding information. For example, a particular originating computer (e.g., home client) securely transmits information to a roaming client (e.g., roaming client) that has a public/private key pair. The originating computer utilizes the public key of the roaming client in a mathematical operation performed on the information to produce an encrypted message, and can sign this message with its own private key to assert the integrity of the message. The originating computer also provides its public key to the roaming client, but the private key remains private (i.e., secret) to the originating computer. To decode an encrypted message, the recipient must use its own private key, and uses the public key provided from the sender to verify the signature on that message. Thus, if the recipient, a user of the home client 102, desires the ability to decode an encrypted message via roaming clients 106 and 108 the user has to transfer the private key to these roaming clients.
An authentication database 112 is coupled to authentication server 110, and contains information necessary to authenticate a user of client computer system 102 (as well as other users on the network), and information necessary to determine whether the user of a home client computer or a roaming client computer has authority to store encryption data in the database and/or receive encryption data from the database 112.
Referring now to
A home client application 206 allows a home user 208 to encrypt private data and transfer the encrypted private data to the web server 204 via a communication network 212 (e.g., network 104). The home client application 206 is executable by the home client 202 and responsive to user input for initiating the encryption of the private data, and the transfer of the encrypted private data to the web server 204. In this embodiment, the home client application 206 includes a memory 214 storing a private key 216 used during a public key encryption process such as described above in reference to
The user 208 of the home client 202 may desire the ability to roam the private key 216 in order to communicate securely with web services via one or more roaming clients (e.g., roaming clients 106, 108). However, such roaming of the private key 216 can result in the private key 216 being intercepted by a malicious party. As a result, the ability of the user 208 to securely decrypt or sign data with that particular private key 216 can be substantially impaired.
A user-interface (UI) 220 linked to the home client 202 allows the user 208 to interact with the web server 204. For example, the UI 214 may include a display 217 such as a computer monitor for viewing data and/or input forms, and an input device 219 such as a keyboard or a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, trackball, pen, or touch pad) for entering data into the input form (not shown). In other words, UI 214 allows user 208 to select data on the home client 210 for encryption, and allows user 208 to submit a request to transfer encrypted data from the home client 202 to the web server 204 for storage.
A database 226 (e.g., database 110) is coupled to web server 204 and contains information necessary to validate a request from the home client 202 (as well as other users on the network) to store encrypted private data in database 226. Although database 210 is shown separately from authentication server 204, it is to be understood that in other embodiments of the invention, database 210 may be contained within web server 208.
In one embodiment, the web server 204 is a login server executing an authentication service 227 to authenticate a user 208 requesting access to the server 204. In such an embodiment, the web server 204 first requests authenticating information from the user 208, such as an authentication password, as indicated by reference character 229, prior to allowing the user access to a web service provided by the web server 204.
Referring further to
In order to transfer and store private data securely, the home client application 206 requests input data such as an encryption password from the user 208. The home client application 206 and UI 220 allow the user 208 to input an encryption password. The home client application 206 is responsive to an encryption password input by the user 208 to generate a wrapping key K1230, with which to encrypt the private data. In this embodiment, the wrapping key K1 is a symmetric key used to encrypt the private key (e.g., create a hash value). The home client application 206 transfers encrypted private data to the server roaming application 228, as indicated by reference character 232. The authentication password and encryption password are illustrated as separate passwords in the interest of securing the privacy of user data. However, it is to be understood that they could be a single password. It is also to be understood that web server 204 could use different authentication mechanisms to authenticate user 208 such as smart cards, one time passwords as well as biometrics.
A server roaming application 228 (i.e., web service) executed by the server 204 stores the received encrypted private data in the database 226, as indicated by reference character 233. In this example, the private data is the private key 216 stored in the memory 216, and the private key is encrypted with the encryption algorithm 218 as a function of the generated wrapping key 230 to generate an encrypted private key EKIPK 234. Notably, the generated wrapping key and the private key 216 remain unknown to the web server 204. Furthermore, since the server does not possess the encryption password used to generate the wrapping key 230, the server roaming application is not able to decrypt the encrypted private key 234.
Referring now to
In this embodiment, the server roaming application 228 receives a request from the roaming client 302 via roaming client application 304 and communication network 212 to retrieve stored encrypted private data from the database 226. The server roaming application 228 is responsive to the received request, and executable by web server 204, for authenticating roaming user 306. In this embodiment, server 204 requests the authentication password from roaming user 306 via an input form such as shown in
In substantially the same manner as described above in reference to
Referring now to
In this embodiment, the home user 208 uses the UI 220 to select a recovery option to have the ability to recover encrypted private data stored on the server 204 even when the user cannot remember the encryption password. In this embodiment, in addition to generating the wrapping key K1, as a function of the encryption password, as described above in reference to
In this embodiment, the encryption algorithm 216 is used to generate the encrypted private key 234, the encrypted wrapping key 414, the first encrypted recovery key 416, and the second encrypted recovery key 428. The encrypted private key 234 represents the private key encrypted as a function of the wrapping key, the encrypted wrapping key 414 represents the wrapping key encrypted as a function of the recovery key K2, the first encrypted recovery key 416 represents the recovery key 408 encrypted as a function of the wrapping key K1, and the second encrypted recovery 428 key represents the recovery key 408 encrypted as a function of the backup key 424. Although, the invention is described herein as using the same encryption algorithm, it is contemplated that different encryption algorithms can be used to generate each of the different encrypted keys.
Referring now to
In this embodiment, the server roaming application 228 receives a request from a roaming client 302 via remote roaming client application 304 and communication network 212 to retrieve backup data from the database 226. In this instance, the backup data is the first encrypted recovery key 416 and the backup key 424. The server roaming application 228 authenticates user 208 by validating a form of the authentication password received from the client. If the authentication password is validated, the server roaming application 228 retrieves the first encrypted recovery key 416 and backup key 424 from the database 226, as indicated by reference characters 506, 508 respectively, and transfers EK1K2 and K3 to the roaming client application 304, as indicated by reference characters 510, 512 respectively. Alternatively, if the authentication password is not validated, the server roaming application 228 denies access to the database 226.
The roaming client application 304 is responsive to the received first encrypted recovery key 416 to request the encryption password 504 from the user, generate the wrapping key K1, and execute the decryption algorithm 312. In this case, the decryption algorithm 312 decrypts the received first encrypted recovery key 416 as a function of the wrapping key 230 generated on the roaming client 302 to obtain the recovery key 408 associated with the home client computer 202. The roaming client application 304 is responsive to the received backup key 424 to execute the encryption algorithm 218. In this case, the encryption algorithm 218 encrypts the obtained recovery key 408 as a function of the received backup key 424 to generate the second encrypted recovery key 428. Thereafter, the roaming client application 304 stores the second encrypted recovery key 428 in the memory 314 and onto disk associated with the roaming client 302. As a result of having the second encrypted recovery key 428 stored in memory 314, the backup key 424 and the encrypted wrapping key from the server, the roaming client 302 can recover and decrypt an encrypted private key 234 being stored in database 226 without having knowledge of a password (i.e., encryption password) used to generate the wrapping key K1.
Referring now to
In this embodiment the backup process described above has been preformed on the roaming client 302 so that roaming client 302 has second encrypted recovery key 428 in memory 314. The server roaming application 228 receives a request from a roaming client 302 via roaming client application 304 and communication network 212 to retrieve encrypted private data such as a private key 216 from the database 226. The server roaming application 228 authenticates user 302 by validating the authentication password received from the client. When the user is successfully authenticated, the server application transfers the encrypted private data 216 to the roaming client application 304. As described above in reference to
If the user 306 does not remember the encryption password, the user uses, for example, the UI select a “YES” option presented to the user along with another dialog box (not shown) that displays a message “RECOVER PRIVATE DATA WITHOUT ENTERING ENCRYPTION PASSWORD.” The server roaming application 228 is responsive to the recovery request to retrieve the backup key 424, the encrypted private key 234, and the encrypted wrapping key 414 from the database 226, as indicated by reference characters 604, 606, and 608 respectively, and transfers the retrieved K3, EK1PK, and EK2K1 to the roaming client application 304, as indicated by reference characters 610, 612, and 614 respectively.
The roaming client application 304 is responsive to the received backup key 424, the encrypted private key 234, and the encrypted wrapping key 414 to execute the decryption algorithm 312. In this case, the decryption algorithm 312 decrypts the second encrypted recovery key 428, previously stored in the memory (See
Referring now to
Referring now to
At 802, the user of the roaming client computer executing a roaming client application requests transfer of encrypted private data from the server executing a server roaming application. In this example, the user requests transfer of an encrypted private key EKIPK previously stored in a database linked to the server by a method such as described above in reference to
Referring now to
At 902 the user of the home client computer executes a roaming client application and designates private data stored in a memory of the home client computer to encrypt, and submits a request to transfer the designated private data to the server. If the request is authenticated as discussed above in reference to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Notably, by generating K2 on the client and never exposing it to the server we are able to backup both the encryption password key K1 and the recovery key K2 on the server without the server every knowing any of them. At the same time since the client knows at least one of the two keys—i.e. either the user enters the encryption password K1 or K2 has been previously stored at the client, the client is able to user Ek1K2 and Ek2K1 for restoring private data and also for performing backup.
The computer 130 typically has at least some form of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media, which include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media, may be any available medium that can be accessed by computer 130. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. For example, computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and that can be accessed by computer 130. Communication media typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the modulated data signal, which has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media, such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media, are examples of communication media. Combinations of the any of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.
The system memory 134 includes computer storage media in the form of removable and/or non-removable, volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. In the illustrated embodiment, system memory 134 includes read only memory (ROM) 138 and random access memory (RAM) 140. A basic input/output system 142 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 130, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 138. RAM 140 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 132. By way of example, and not limitation,
The computer 130 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. For example,
The drives or other mass storage devices and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in
A user may enter commands and information into computer 130 through input devices or user interface selection devices such as a keyboard 180 and a pointing device 182 (e.g., a mouse, trackball, pen, or touch pad). Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are connected to processing unit 132 through a user input interface 184 that is coupled to system bus 136, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB). A monitor 188 or other type of display device is also connected to system bus 136 via an interface, such as a video interface 190. In addition to the monitor 188, computers often include other peripheral output devices (not shown) such as a printer and speakers, which may be connected through an output peripheral interface (not shown).
The computer 130 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more roaming clients, such as a roaming client 194. The roaming client 194 may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to computer 130. The logical connections depicted in
When used in a local area networking environment, computer 130 is connected to the LAN 196 through a network interface or adapter 186. When used in a wide area networking environment, computer 130 typically includes a modem 178 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 198, such as the Internet. The modem 178, which may be internal or external, is connected to system bus 136 via the user input interface 184, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to computer 130, or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device (not shown). By way of example, and not limitation,
Generally, the data processors of computer 130 are programmed by means of instructions stored at different times in the various computer-readable storage media of the computer. Programs and operating systems are typically distributed, for example, on floppy disks or CD-ROMs. From there, they are installed or loaded into the secondary memory of a computer. At execution, they are loaded at least partially into the computer's primary electronic memory. The invention described herein includes these and other various types of computer-readable storage media when such media contain instructions or programs for implementing the steps described below in conjunction with a microprocessor or other data processor. The invention also includes the computer itself when programmed according to the methods and techniques described herein.
For purposes of illustration, programs and other executable program components, such as the operating system, are illustrated herein as discrete blocks. It is recognized, however, that such programs and components reside at various times in different storage components of the computer, and are executed by the data processor(s) of the computer.
Although described in connection with an exemplary computing system environment, including computer 130, the invention is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. The computing system environment is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Moreover, the computing system environment should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
The invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, programs, objects, components, and data structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and roaming client storage media including memory storage devices.
In operation, computer 130 executes computer-executable instructions such as those illustrated in FIGS. 7 thru 11 to encrypt and transfer private data and/or retrieve and decrypt private data.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.
As various changes could be made in the constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
