Apparatus and method for upgrading terminals to maintain a secure communication network
First Claim
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1. A system for revising a set of terminals in a communication network to maintain signal security comprising:
- a headend for transmitting signals;
encryption means operatively associated with said headend for encrypting said signals according to a plurality of encryption algorithms, each algorithm associated with a different subset of terminals authorized to receive said signals;
means for selectively terminating the transmission of said signals under a particular algorithm;
means for providing a replacement algorithm in said encryption means for use instead of the terminated algorithm; and
security means for providing a corresponding replacement algorithm to the subset of terminals associated with the terminated algorithm.
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Abstract
A secure communication network serves a plurality of terminals grouped into different security categories. Each terminal includes a replaceable security element containing a security algorithm specific to the security category to which the terminal is assigned. Upon the breach of a particular security version, the security elements in the affected category are replaced with new elements containing a different algorithm. The security elements are relatively low cost, and can be replaced on an as needed or periodic basis to maintain system security.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for revising a set of terminals in a communication network to maintain signal security comprising:
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a headend for transmitting signals; encryption means operatively associated with said headend for encrypting said signals according to a plurality of encryption algorithms, each algorithm associated with a different subset of terminals authorized to receive said signals; means for selectively terminating the transmission of said signals under a particular algorithm; means for providing a replacement algorithm in said encryption means for use instead of the terminated algorithm; and security means for providing a corresponding replacement algorithm to the subset of terminals associated with the terminated algorithm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for revising a set of terminals to recover from security compromises in a secure communication network comprising the steps of:
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transmitting encrypted signals to different subsets of terminals using a different encryption algorithm for each subset; providing the terminals in each subset with a corresponding decryption algorithm; providing a replacement encryption algorithm for a particular subset upon the occurrence of an event; and providing a corresponding replacement decryption algorithm to each of the terminals in said particular subset. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for revising a set of terminals in a communication network to maintain signal security comprising:
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means for encrypting signals for transmission; a headend operatively associated with said encryption means for transmitting said signals to different subsets of said terminals; and a different set of replaceable security elements associated with each subset of terminals, each set of security elements providing a different security algorithm for decrypting said signals at the terminals. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification