Adaptive Policy Attributes for Dynamic IoT Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional network access control and policy enforcement systems are inadequate for IoT environments, as they cannot adapt to dynamic external conditions and require predefined policy attributes, limiting their ability to address unique operational and safety requirements of IoT devices.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive control system that allows for the dynamic creation and evaluation of policy attributes at runtime, enabling the definition of new attributes and their semantic evaluation, which can be used to enforce policies based on ephemeral conditions, thereby supporting real-time policy decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional network access control systems are used, then system stability is maintained, but adaptability to dynamic IoT conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic policy attributes that can be modified at runtime without requiring system reconfiguration. The policy enforcement point evaluates current attribute values dynamically, allowing the system to adapt to changing IoT conditions while maintaining a stable underlying architecture. This resolves the contradiction by introducing flexibility through runtime-dynamic attributes rather than structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes policy parameters (attributes) dynamically at runtime based on current system state and external conditions. Instead of changing the system structure, it modifies policy parameter values to adapt to new conditions, thereby achieving adaptability without increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If predefined policy attributes are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but ability to address unique operational requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal policy attribute framework that can accommodate any operational requirement through a common evaluation mechanism. The same policy enforcement infrastructure handles diverse attributes (device state, environmental conditions, operational parameters) uniformly, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically evaluates policy attributes based on current system state and external conditions without requiring manual reconfiguration for each scenario. The policy enforcement point autonomously determines whether policies are satisfied based on dynamic attribute evaluation, reducing configuration complexity while addressing unique operational requirements.
3Speed
If static policies are enforced, then processing speed is maintained, but responsiveness to changing conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors and evaluates policy attributes in real-time as conditions change, rather than relying on periodic updates or manual reconfiguration. This continuous evaluation maintains fast response times to condition changes while keeping processing efficient through optimized attribute evaluation at the enforcement point.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures policy rules and attribute evaluation logic in advance, so when conditions change, the enforcement point can immediately evaluate new states against existing policies without delay. This preliminary preparation enables rapid response to condition changes while maintaining efficient processing through pre-compiled evaluation logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein is a system, device and method that involve creating a policy model and policy rule structure for a policy enforcement point to support policies adapt to rapid changing external conditions in addition to traditional policies that are static. The system facilitates the use of attributes that are either or both dynamically (at run-time) created and/or defined as ephemeral. A new policy attribute may be created dynamically (at run-time). The policy attribute may be mapped as being static or ephemeral. The methodology further involves facilitating evaluation of an attribute as an atomic or programmed set of functions.