ENCRYPTED SHARDING FOR STORING AND RETRIEVING DIGITAL FILES IN EMAIL SERVERS VIA STANDARD PROTOCOLS (SMTIP/IMAP/POP)

FRAGMENTATION CHIFFREE POUR STOCKER ET RECUPERER LES FICHIERS NUMERIQUES DANS LES SERVEURS DE COURRIELS AU MOYEN DE PROTOCOLES STANDARD (SMTIP/IMAP/POP)

English Abstract

The main purpose of the present patent is to store files via an encrypted (SHA
256 compliant) process
in email servers and the retrieval and reconstruction of those files in their
initial state. The files are split
in encrypted shards, are then sent via standard emailing protocols in email
inboxes, and then
reassembled in the initial state. The index of the shards is stored in the
blockchain or databases (DB).

Description

Encrypted sharding for storing and retrieving digital files in email servers
via standard protocols
(SMTP/IMAP/POP) with blockchain or database indexing.
Author: Dr.Radu Vestemean
Abstract
The main purpose of the present patent is to store files via an encrypted (SHA
256 compliant) process
in email servers and the retrieval and reconstruction of those files in their
initial state. The files are split
in encrypted shards, are then sent via standard emailing protocols in email
inboxes, and then
reassembled in the initial state. The index of the shards is stored in the
blockchain or databases (DB).
Description
The present patent shows how to store files via an encrypted SHA 256 compliant
process in email
servers and the retrieval of those files and rebuilding them in their initial
state. The process implies the
identification of the files for storage, and the splitting the file in small
files: shards. The shards are then
encrypted via SHA256 encryption, indexed and assigned in a blockchain-type
structure, with pointers
from one block to another, or by storing the index in a DB-like structure. The
shards are pushed from
source to destination via a standard email protocol into an email
account/server as distinct messages.
The shards can be retrieved via a read process from blockchain or the index
DB, they can be deleted on
the mail servers and distributed to multiple email servers. The creation of
the shards will generate an
index stored in blockchain or DB index. The advantages of using this method is
storage of secure,
SHA256 encrypted information, storage of encrypted and secured information in
traditional email
servers' inboxes, protected by scanners or Al engines who're analyzing and
exposing the content of
stored data. This solution will provide a viable alternative to store
confidential data in commonly used
data storage structures.
Background Of The Invention
There are 2.5 quintillion bytes of data created each day at our current pace,
but that pace is only
accelerating with the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT). Over the last
two years alone 90 percent of
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the data in the world was generated [IBM/IDC] and there are untapped
capacities for use available in
email servers.
In recent years, data center trends, such as big data analytics and cloud
storage technologies, have
fostered the rapid growth of computer file storage. The number of applications
using strictly file-based
access, rather than database access, has been another contributing factor.
Summary Of The Invention's Advantages
The method will allow file storage outside a network, in email inboxes, saving
the data in encrypted
shards.
Main advantages of the solution include:
= using additional email inbox capacities for data storage
= storing data (sending and receiving data shards) by using standardized
protocols ¨ no additional
protocols are required, accommodating firewalls rules.
= splitting / restoring data in shards and storing in secured email boxes,
adding additional security
= encrypting data in email inboxes via SHA256, making it impossible to
access the data stored in
email inboxes
Detailed Description Of The Invention
The process is as follows:
I. Files selected for storage are identified in the Hub (Fig. 1)
2. After selection, the files are split into small files (for example 5 MB
size), called shards. The
file unit is called shard, plural shards. (Fig.2)
3. The shards are then indexed and assigned in a blockchain-type structure
(with pointers from one
block to another). (Fig. 3)
4. The result of the above processes (Fig. 4):
a. Original File
b. Encrypted Shards
c. Index (IDX) Map for the original file
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5. The shards are afterwards pushed from source to destination via a standard
email protocol into
an email account/ server (SMTP /1MAP/POP) as distinct messages (Fig. 4, Fig.
5).
6. The shards can be retrieved via a read process from the Hub (Fig. 6).
7. The shards can be deleted on the mail servers.
8. The shards can be distributed to multiple mail servers (redundancy).
The process can be implemented via a blockchain style framework, as we can
simulate the shards as
part of ledger entries (Fig. 7).
The implementation of the process (Fig. 8) will be flexible, but due to the
requirements of encryption,
privacy (HIPPA/GDPR) SHA256 encryption is required on untrusted (email)
servers. There will be
microservices to split, send, retrieve, and rebuild the files/shards.
The creation of the shards will generate an index. There are two methods to
design the index:
= as database records
= as ledger entries in a blockchain
Claims
Full name: Dr.Radu Vestemean
Citizenship: Canadian
Complete address: 19 Ravel Drive
Province or state: Ontario
Postal code: L4J 8Z2
Telephone number: 416 902 2924
Fax number: N/A
Country: Canada
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Representative Drawing