Yes, ML-KEM (Message-Locked Key Encapsulation Mechanism) can be used for scenarios beyond just exchanging AES-GCM keys. Its unique properties of deriving keys based on message content while maintaining confidentiality and security make it suitable for various other applications.
1. Secure Data Deduplication
- Purpose: Deduplicate data by storing only one copy of identical files across a storage system.
- How ML-KEM Helps:
- The encryption key is derived from the content itself.
- Identical files will generate the same key and ciphertext, enabling deduplication without compromising confidentiality.
- Example: Cloud storage systems where the same file is uploaded multiple times by different users.
2. Content-Based Access Control
- Purpose: Grant access to encrypted content only if the correct plaintext is known.
- How ML-KEM Helps:
- The key encapsulation mechanism ties decryption capability to the correct content, ensuring that only entities with the right message can access the corresponding data.
- Example: Secure voting or lottery systems where decryption is conditional on specific inputs.
3. Encrypted Database Search
- Purpose: Enable secure search operations on encrypted data.
- How ML-KEM Helps:
- Derives deterministic keys for consistent data, allowing specific records to be identified and decrypted based on content without revealing other data.
- Example: Searching for encrypted documents in a database using content-based encryption.
4. Secure File Sharing
- Purpose: Allow multiple parties to access the same encrypted data securely.
- How ML-KEM Helps:
- Encapsulated keys can be distributed securely based on the shared content, enabling collaborative environments.
- Example: A group of researchers sharing encrypted datasets tied to specific content.
5. Policy-Based Encryption
- Purpose: Enforce encryption policies tied to specific data characteristics.
- How ML-KEM Helps:
- The key encapsulation can be linked to metadata or attributes, enabling encryption that aligns with policy requirements.
- Example: Encrypting sensitive financial data with keys derived from specific transaction details.
