METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO ASSURE DATA INTEGRITY IN A SECURE DATA COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

• US 20080172744A1
• Filed: 01/17/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Schmidt, John F. L., Cornett, Alan G.
• Application Number:
  US11/624,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20080172744A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

Methods and systems for assuring data integrity in a secure data communications network are disclosed. In one method, one or more remote data nodes are provided that are in operative communication with a central command unit. The one or more remote data nodes are monitored with the central command unit, and a determination is made whether the one or more remote data nodes has been compromised. A secure erasure wipe command is transmitted from the central command unit to the one or more remote data nodes that have been compromised.

Claims

1. A method for assuring data integrity in a secure data communications network, the method comprising:

providing one or more remote data nodes in operative communication with a central command unit;

monitoring the one or more remote data nodes with the central command unit;

determining whether the one or more remote data nodes has been compromised; and

transmitting a secure erasure wipe command from the central command unit to the one or more remote data nodes that have been compromised.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more remote data nodes is in operative communication with one or more additional remote data nodes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wipe command initiates erasure of data and software in the one or more remote data nodes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wipe command initiates irreparable damage to hardware in the one or more remote data nodes.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the irreparable damage to the hardware is carried out by:

generating a voltage pulse in the remote data node;

or

applying a magnetic field to magnetically sensitive data storage media in the remote data node.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the hardware comprises one or more memory storage devices, and the voltage pulse causes physical, microscopic damage to the one or more memory storage devices.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the wipe command initiates erasure of all data and software, and then initiates irreparable damage to hardware in the one or more remote data nodes.

8. A method for assuring data integrity in a secure data communications network, the method comprising:

providing a remote data node in operative communication with a central command unit; and

transmitting a secure erasure wipe command when the remote data node has been or will be compromised, the wipe command comprising;

initiating irreparable damage to hardware in the remote data node.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the wipe command initiates erasure of data and software in the remote data node prior to initiating irreparable damage to hardware in the remote data node.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting of the wipe command is initiated by a user of the remote data node.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting of the wipe command is initiated by the central command unit after receiving a signal from the remote data node that an RF link between a user and the remote data node has been broken.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting of the wipe command is initiated automatically when a chassis of the remote data node is violated.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting of the wipe command is initiated automatically when an erroneous code is entered for using the remote data node.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the irreparable damage to the hardware is carried out by:

generating a voltage pulse in the remote data node;

or

applying a magnetic field to magnetically sensitive data storage media in the remote data node.

15. A remote data node for assuring data integrity in a secure data communications network, the remote data node comprising:

a central command interface unit comprising;

a data communications controller that provides for handshaking with a central command unit; and

a secure authentication module in operative communication with the data communications controller;

a system data processing unit comprising;

a data node operating controller in operative communication with the secure authentication module;

a system data integrity management unit comprising;

a secure data erasure module in operative communication with the secure authentication module; and

a secure data storage device in operative communication with the secure data erasure module and the data node operating controller;

wherein the secure data erasure module is configured to initiate erasure of data and software, and initiate irreparable damage to hardware, in the secure data storage device.

16. The remote data node of claim 15, wherein the secure data erasure module comprises a master wipe controller.

17. The remote data node of claim 16, wherein the master wipe controller is in operative communication with a soft wipe controller and a hard wipe controller.

18. The remote data node of claim 16, wherein the master wipe controller is configured to transmit a soft wipe signal, a hard wipe signal, or a combined soft/hard wipe signal.

19. The remote data node of claim 17, wherein the hard wipe controller is configured to initiate irreparable damage to the hardware in the secure data storage device by:

a voltage pulse generated in the remote data node;

or

a magnetic field applied to magnetically sensitive data storage media in the secure data storage device.

20. A secure data communications network comprising at least one remote data node according to claim 15.