Directory Service Backup Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data protection systems face challenges in securely managing access to backups across thousands of users and devices, requiring efficient methods to control search access and prevent unauthorized access, especially for large organizations with complex IT environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that utilizes a directory service, such as Active Directory, to map assets and user permissions, allowing for granular control of access levels through Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and enabling users to search and restore only their associated backups, while enforcing access restrictions using a search tool integrated with the directory service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration of backup access permissions is implemented, then security control is achieved, but administrative time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to automatically discover and access their own backups through self-service mechanisms. Users can search for and restore their backups without requiring manual permission configuration by administrators. The system automatically determines access rights based on user identity and backup metadata, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure permissions for each user-backup pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures access control rules and permissions structures in advance through schema definitions. Access policies are established beforehand based on user roles, groups, and backup metadata attributes. When users search for backups, the system automatically applies these pre-defined rules to determine access rights, eliminating the need for real-time manual permission management.
2Reliability
If granular access control is implemented across thousands of users and devices, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal access control framework that works across all backup types, users, and devices through a common schema-based approach. The same access control mechanisms and search interface handle diverse backup scenarios uniformly. Administrators define access rules using standardized schema elements that automatically apply across the entire backup ecosystem, reducing the need for separate complex configuration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a metadata dimension to backup objects, incorporating access control attributes directly into backup metadata rather than maintaining separate permission databases. This dimensional integration allows the search tool to simultaneously query for backup content and evaluate access rights using the same search infrastructure, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling granular control.
3Reliability
If administrators manually configure permissions for each user and backup, then access control is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Users can independently search for and access their own backups without requiring administrator intervention for permission configuration. The system automatically resolves access rights based on user identity and pre-defined policies, allowing users to perform backup restoration operations autonomously. This self-service capability dramatically improves ease of operation while maintaining access control integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The search tool acts as an intermediary between users and the backup storage system, automatically handling permission verification and access control logic. Rather than requiring administrators to manually configure each user's access rights, the search tool mediates access requests by evaluating user credentials against backup metadata and access policies, simplifying the user experience while enforcing security rules.
Data Source
AI summary
A data protection application creates backups of assets. Each asset is mapped in a directory service to one or more asset owners. The directory service is separate from the data protection application. A search query from a user seeking to search the backups is received at the data protection application. The directory service is consulted to identify assets having the user as an asset owner. A search filter is generated including a list of the identified assets. The search filter is applied to the search query to exclude from a search result backups of assets not having the user as the asset owner. The search result is returned to the user, the search result thereby including backups of assets having the user as an asset owner and excluding other backups of other assets not having the user as the asset owner.