This section aims to show root management and disaster recovery in action. As a result, the revocation and replacement of an elector is described below:
- Day 1: Typical SCMS Operations
- Day 2: Revoking an Elector
- Day 3: SCMS Operating with 2 Electors Only
- Day 4: Replacing a Elector
- Day 5: SCMS Returning to Typical Operation
The diagrams given below (and in sections above) are high-level summaries only, and do not contain all requirements for the SCMS components or the EEs.
Day 1: Typical SCMS Operations
Day 2: Revoking an Elector
At Day 2, an elector has been revoked by votes from m electors (here m=2). These votes are included in the CRL. The CRL is distributed to all SCMS components and EEs. The SCMS is still operational.
Day 3: SCMS operating with two electors only
In Day 3, the SCMS is operational with only two, non-revoked electors. Pseudonym certificates continue to validate and EEs to operate.
Day 4: Replacing an Elector
In Day 4, the SCMS Manager introduces a new elector through votes endorsing the new elector obtained from the two, remaining, non-revoked electors. Existing devices that do not recognize the new elector continue to operate. The SCMS Manager adds a new elector through a Ballot inserted into the Global Certificate Chain File (GCCF), which it then provides through the Policy Generator to RAs. The root management message includes votes from the electors, which the SCMS components and EEs will need to validated before performing the root management operation (adding the elector to the trust store). The SCMS Manager provides a new vote from the new elector for the existing root CA certificate and adds it to the GCCF as well. Even with the addition of the new elector, pseudonym certificates continue to validate and EEs to operate.
Day 5: SCMS Returning to Typical Operation
In Day 5, the SCMS has been returned to an equivalent of the Initial State of Day 1 with a replacement elector.
The following describes the revocation and replacement of a root CA certificate:
- Day 1: Typical SCMS operations
- Day 2: Standing up a new root CA certificate
- Day 3: Putting the SCMS backend trust relationships in place for the new root CA certificate
- Day 4: Revoking the existing and adding the new root CA certificate
- Day 5: Revoked root CA certificate, system non-functional
- Day 6: System functionality restored
Day 1: Typical SCMS operations
Day 2: Standing up a new root CA certificate
In Day 2, the new root CA certificate is established and endorsed but is not used by the SCMS.
Day 3: Putting the SCMS backend trust relationships in place for the new root CA certificate
On Day 3, all of the background tasks of generating new certificates for SCMS components is performed, but these are not made active. The new root management operation, "Add Root CA," is distributed to all the authorized operators to prepare them for distribution.
Day 4: Revoking the existing and adding the new root CA certificate
On Day 4, the old root CA is revoked and the new root CA is added simultaneously to all SCMS components (not EEs). The EEs only receive the revoke message. The GCCF needs to be reset with the new trust structure, which was created on Day 3. All the SCMS components start using the certificates, which chain to the new root CA certificate.
Day 5: Revoked root CA certificate, system non-functional
On Day 5, all of the existing pseudonym and enrollment certificates are no longer valid. This means that from an EE point of view, the SCMS is not functioning. The CRL also needs to be reset: any certificate without linkage values can be removed. The handling of the linkage values on the CRL will depend on if the linkage values are continued. Those that are continued will need to remain on the CRL.
Day 6: System functionality restored
On Day 6, the authorized operators will issue new enrollment certificates to the EEs. All EE certificates, including pseudonym certificates, are generated. The EEs require new enrollment certificates to authenticate themselves to their RA. The SCMS does not yet specify the mechanism used to provide new enrollment certificates to EEs; a later release will support this. Once an EE receives its new enrollment certificate, it can download the policy file, the GCCF, and new pseudonym Certificates. The EEs now become operational again.
Attachments:
Day 2 - Revoke Level 0.jpg (image/jpeg)
Day 3 - 2 components only Level 0.jpg (image/jpeg)
Day 4 - Replacement Level 0.jpg (image/jpeg)
Day 5 - Steady State Level 0.jpg (image/jpeg)
Day 2 - Level 1.jpg (image/jpeg)
Day 3 - Level 1.jpg (image/jpeg)
Day 4 - Level 1.jpg (image/jpeg)
Day 5 - Level 1.jpg (image/jpeg)
Day 6 - Level 1.jpg (image/jpeg)