Just-in-Time Secure Tunnel Selection for Adaptive Network Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network communication protocols, such as TLS, statically determine cryptographic techniques without considering the entire network environment, leading to inefficient use of resources and increased costs due to the lack of dynamic determination based on performance, certification, and security needs.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for dynamically determining a security level for secure tunnels between network identities just-in-time, using security attributes like protocol cipher suites, compliance certificates, and privilege levels, and employing quantum-resistant cryptography when necessary, with machine learning models for optimized resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If quantum-resistant cryptographic techniques are employed to enhance security, then security level is improved, but computing resources consumption increases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity levelVSAvoidcomputing resources consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic determination of cryptographic techniques based on real-time security assessments. The system evaluates security attributes of network identities and environments, then selects appropriate cryptographic methods (quantum-resistant or traditional) on a per-connection basis, rather than uniformly applying quantum-resistant cryptography everywhere. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between security enhancement and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different cryptographic techniques to different network connections based on their specific security requirements. High-security connections requiring quantum-resistant cryptography are identified through security attribute assessment, while lower-risk connections can use more efficient traditional cryptographic methods. This localized application of cryptographic strength reduces overall resource consumption while maintaining necessary security levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If standard TLS protocols employ the strongest available cryptographic cipher suite, then security is improved, but network efficiency decreases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidnetwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces static cryptographic configuration with dynamic selection. The system performs real-time security assessments of network identities and environments, then dynamically selects the strongest appropriate cryptographic cipher suite for each connection. This dynamic determination ensures optimal security-efficiency balance rather than uniformly applying the strongest cryptography regardless of actual risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of cryptographic strength selection from fixed to variable. Instead of always using the strongest available cipher suite, the system adjusts the security level parameter based on assessed security attributes, network environment characteristics, and connection requirements. This parameter adaptation optimizes both security and network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If static determination of cryptographic techniques is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to network environment changes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to network environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary security assessments and attribute evaluations before establishing network connections. By pre-assessing security attributes of network identities and environments, the system prepares appropriate cryptographic configurations in advance, enabling adaptive cryptographic selection without complicating the connection establishment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor network environment characteristics and security attributes. This feedback enables the system to adapt cryptographic techniques to changing conditions while maintaining a relatively simple implementation structure. The feedback loop allows the system to learn from network conditions and adjust cryptographic selections accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4712413A1Ensuring high security level for accessing network resources
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 CYBER ARK SOFTWARE LTD
  • EP4712413A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4712413A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4712413A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for establishing secure access between network identities. Techniques may include receiving, from a first network identity, a request to access a second network identity and obtaining at least one security attribute. Techniques may further include determining, based on the at least one security attribute, a security level for a secure tunnel with a communication component located in a network associated with the second network identity, identifying, just-in-time and based on the security level, the secure tunnel with the communication component located in the network associated with the second network identity resource; and establishing a secure connection with the second network identity using the secure tunnel.