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LockoutGuard Access Assurance

Overview

LockOutGuard ensures that users can regain access to their UnoLock vault even if they lose access to their primary authentication method, such as their FIDO2 device or biometric login. This feature provides multiple backup mechanisms and layers of protection to prevent accidental lockouts, enabling secure recovery while maintaining the integrity of the vault.

LockoutGuard Access Assurance is a secondary authentication and recovery feature designed to prevent permanent lockout from your UnoLock digital vault. By providing secure, user-controlled recovery mechanisms, LockoutGuard ensures that users can regain access to their vault in case of lost credentials or device issues, without compromising the zero-knowledge security model. This feature is critical for maintaining access to sensitive data, such as cryptocurrency keys, documents, or personal records, even in challenging scenarios.

How It Works

  • Secondary Authentication Setup: Users configure LockoutGuard with alternative authentication methods, such as backup codes, secondary FIDO2 devices, or biometric recovery options, stored securely on their device.
  • Encrypted Recovery Keys: LockoutGuard generates encrypted recovery keys or mnemonic phrases, which are stored locally or on trusted devices, encrypted with AES-256 GCM, ensuring only the user can access them.
  • Inactivity Monitoring: The system monitors user activity and can trigger recovery prompts after a user-defined inactivity period, guiding users to restore access securely.
  • Client-Side Recovery Process: Recovery operations are processed client-side, maintaining UnoLock’s zero-knowledge architecture. Users authenticate using their secondary methods to regain access without server intervention.
  • Secure Key Restoration: Once authenticated, LockoutGuard restores access to the vault’s encryption keys, allowing users to unlock their data without compromising security.

Security Implications

  • Prevention of Permanent Lockout: LockoutGuard ensures users can recover access to their vault without relying on third-party intervention, reducing the risk of data loss.
  • Zero-Knowledge Security: Recovery processes are handled client-side, ensuring that UnoLock servers never access user keys or data, maintaining privacy and security.
  • Robust Authentication: Secondary authentication methods, such as FIDO2 or biometrics, provide strong security, preventing unauthorized recovery attempts.

Use Cases

  • Individual Users: Protects access to personal vaults containing cryptocurrency keys, financial records, or sensitive documents, ensuring recovery in case of lost credentials.
  • Business Continuity: Companies can use LockoutGuard to ensure key personnel can recover access to critical data, maintaining operations despite credential issues.
  • High-Risk Scenarios: Users in unstable environments can configure LockoutGuard to safeguard against coerced access attempts, using secure recovery options to regain control.

Why It Matters

Losing access to a digital vault can result in permanent data loss, especially for critical assets like cryptocurrency keys or legal documents. LockoutGuard provides a user-controlled, secure recovery mechanism that prevents such scenarios while upholding UnoLock’s commitment to privacy and security. As discussed in the context of secure key management, LockoutGuard ensures users can always regain access to their digital assets, offering peace of mind in an increasingly digital world.

FAQs

What happens if I lose my primary authentication method?

LockoutGuard allows you to use secondary authentication methods, such as backup codes or FIDO2 devices, to securely recover access to your vault.

Can UnoLock access my recovery keys?

No, all recovery keys are encrypted and managed client-side, ensuring UnoLock has no access to them.

How does LockoutGuard protect against unauthorized recovery?

Secondary authentication methods, like biometrics or FIDO2, ensure only authorized users can initiate the recovery process.

Compliance & Privacy Regulations

  • GDPR & HIPAA Compliance: LockoutGuard supports compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulations by ensuring that recovery processes are secure, private, and do not expose sensitive data on servers.

Integration with Other Features

  • End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): Ensures that all recovery keys and data remain encrypted throughout the recovery process.
  • Multi-Device Access: LockoutGuard integrates with multi-device setups, allowing recovery keys to be securely stored across trusted devices.