Automation Server Process Authentication via Cryptographic Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DevOps environments face security risks due to hardcoded credentials and API keys, which are vulnerable to theft and require frequent rotation, leading to inefficiencies and additional costs.
Innovation Solution
A system that identifies and authenticates processes on automation servers using cryptographic signatures, allowing secure access to resources without the need for API keys, by generating and validating digital signatures with cryptographic keys and verifying process presence on the server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hardcoded credentials and API keys are used for authentication, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to vulnerability to theft and requirement for frequent rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication mechanism from traditional hardcoded credentials and API keys. Instead of embedding secrets directly in code or configuration, the system uses cryptographic signatures generated by the automation server to authenticate processes. This extraction eliminates the security vulnerabilities associated with hardcoded credentials while maintaining ease of operation through automated signature-based authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cryptographic signatures as an intermediary between the automation server and the processes. Rather than directly using hardcoded credentials, the server generates cryptographic signatures that serve as secure tokens for process authentication. This intermediary mechanism enhances security while preserving operational simplicity through automated signature generation and validation.
2Ease of operation
If API keys are used for authentication, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time increases due to frequent rotation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for frequent credential rotation by extracting authentication from time-sensitive API keys. Instead, it uses cryptographic signatures that can be generated on-demand by the automation server and do not require periodic rotation. This eliminates the time loss associated with credential management while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The automation server performs self-service by automatically generating cryptographic signatures for process authentication without requiring external credential rotation. The server manages its own authentication credentials internally, eliminating the need for manual API key rotation and reducing time loss while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes.
3Reliability
If cryptographic signatures are used for authentication, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to key management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cryptographic key management functions into the automation server itself. Rather than requiring separate key management infrastructure, the automation server integrates signature generation and validation capabilities directly. This consolidation improves security through cryptographic signatures while reducing device complexity by eliminating separate key management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The automation server provides self-service for cryptographic key management by automatically generating, storing, and using its own cryptographic keys for signature generation. This self-managed approach improves security through robust cryptographic authentication while reducing device complexity by eliminating external key management dependencies and simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Reliability
If process identification using cryptographic signatures is implemented, then security is improved, but use of energy increases due to cryptographic operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the automation server generate cryptographic signatures in advance before processes need authentication. Rather than performing complex cryptographic verification at each authentication point, the signature is pre-generated and can be efficiently validated. This approach improves security through cryptographic signatures while reducing energy consumption by minimizing real-time computational overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for identifying computing processes on automation servers and authorizing computing processes to grant access to secure resources. Techniques include receiving an access request, obtaining process data, identifying a cryptographic key, generating a digital signature, sending the digital signature, and receiving authorization data from a security server. Further techniques include receiving process data, receiving a digital signature, accessing a cryptographic key, validating the signature with the key, verifying the process, and transmitting authorization data to an automation server to complete an authentication process.