Authorization Server Segments Client and User Policies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack mechanisms to control access by services to online resources effectively, leading to insecure and inflexible access management in multi-service environments.
Innovation Solution
A request authorization server is implemented to manage access by checking authorization requests against client and user authorization policies, using access tokens to determine privileges and roles within namespaces and protected resources, enabling granular control and secure delegated access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a platform allows services to access protected resources without separate authorization control, then service access is simplified and faster, but security and granular control over service access are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The authorization control mechanism is segmented into separate client authorization policies and user authorization policies, each with distinct control realms. This allows independent management of service access and user access, enabling granular control over what services can access and under what conditions, while maintaining security without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
An authorization server acts as an intermediary between services and protected resources. The server receives authorization requests from services, evaluates them against stored authorization policies, and makes authorization decisions. This intermediary approach provides centralized security control without requiring services to directly manage complex authorization logic
2Adaptability or versatility
If all services of a platform can access a resource once the platform is authorized, then service access is simplified, but granular control over which services can access the resource is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Different authorization policies are applied to different services based on their specific requirements. Client authorization policies can define specific permissions for particular services, allowing some services to access certain resources while preventing other services from accessing the same resources. This enables granular control and flexible access management without requiring complex centralized control
Solution Approach 2:
The authorization system dynamically evaluates each service access request against the stored authorization policies. The authorization server can make real-time decisions about which services are allowed to access which resources based on the current policy assignments, enabling flexible and adaptable access control that responds to changing service needs
Data Source
AI summary
An method for authorizing services comprises receiving an access control model comprising policy definitions for access by services and users to protected resources, storing the access control model in a database; accessing, by the authorization service, the access control model and determining, based on the access control model, whether to grant a requesting service access to the protected resource or to grant access to the protected resource based on a user associated with the protected resource. The method further includes modifying the access control model to allow access by the requesting service to the protected resource including modifying the policy definitions.