Bank of America Corporation
SYSTEM FOR EXCHANGING SYMMETRIC CRYPTOGRAPHIC KEYS USING COMPUTER NETWORK PORT KNOCKING

Abstract:

A system is provided for exchanging symmetric cryptographic keys using computer network port knocking. The system may receive, from a networked computing device, a first series of packets on a first series of ports which may signify a request to open a secure network connection. Once the secure network connection has been opened, the system may receive a second series of packets on a second series of ports which may be used as seed values to generate a symmetric cryptographic key. Finally, the system may then receive a third series of packets on a third series of ports which may signify the end of the second series of packets (e.g., the seed values). In this way, the system may exchange symmetric key values with the networked computing device which may then be used to open secure communication channels between the system and the computing device.