Methods and apparatus for secure and reliable transmission of messages over a silent alarm channel

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for secure and reliable transmission of messages over a silent alarm channel. A plurality of messages are transmitted by obtaining the plurality of messages; and transmitting the plurality of messages on a forward-secure channel to a receiver, wherein the forward-secure channel comprises a buffer having a plurality of entries, wherein each of the entries stores one of the messages and wherein at least one of the plurality of messages is maintained in the forward-secure channel after a receiver reads the channel. Two levels of encryption are optionally performed on the forward-secure channel. The messages carried by the disclosed silent alarm channels can comprise, for example, (i) entries in a security log; (ii) one-time passwords derived by authentication tokens; or (iii) tampering notifications from one or more sensor devices.

主权项

1. A method for transmitting a plurality of messages from a sender to a receiver, comprising the steps of:
obtaining said plurality of messages at said sender; encrypting each of said plurality of messages using an atomic authenticated encryption scheme, wherein said authenticated encryption scheme employs a secret key shared by said sender and said receiver; and transmitting said plurality of encrypted messages on a forward-secure channel to said receiver, wherein said forward-secure channel comprises a buffer having a plurality of entries, wherein each of said entries stores one of said encrypted messages and wherein at least one of said plurality of encrypted messages is maintained in said forward-secure channel after a receiver reads said channel, wherein at least one of said steps employs at least one hardware device.