Centralized Authentication Tokens for Cross-Service Identity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face tedious and cumbersome identity verification processes, particularly with multifactor authentication, when accessing various online services throughout the day.
Innovation Solution
A centralized authentication platform (CAP) generates and manages authentication tokens based on the level of authentication used, allowing seamless access across multiple services by trusting the initial authentication from a qualifying service, reducing the need for repeated login and multifactor authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multifactor authentication is implemented for each service, then security level is improved, but user operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal authentication token system where a single authentication credential generated by one service can be used across multiple participating services. The token contains user identity information and authentication level data that are recognized by all services in the network, eliminating the need for separate multifactor authentication at each service while maintaining security through the token's embedded authentication level indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs authentication in advance through a qualifying service, generating a token that proves the user's identity before the user accesses other services. This preliminary authentication action is stored in the token and validated by subsequent services, eliminating the need for repeated authentication challenges and reducing operational complexity while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If repeated authentication is required for each service access, then security is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication token enables continuous access across multiple services without interruption. Once authenticated at a qualifying service, the user's token is valid across the entire network of participating services, allowing seamless transitions between services without breaking the authentication state or requiring repeated verification processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication token acts as an intermediary credential that carries authentication information between services. Instead of direct repeated authentication between user and each service, the token mediates the verification process, allowing services to trust the authentication performed by qualifying services without requiring users to re-authenticate.
3Productivity
If centralized authentication platform is implemented, then authentication efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments authentication functionality into two parts: a centralized authentication platform that issues tokens and validates authentication levels, and lightweight participating services that only need to verify token validity. This segmentation allows the complex authentication logic to be concentrated in the platform while keeping individual services simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through token validation, where the centralized platform provides authentication level information in the token that services can verify. The platform receives feedback from services about token usage and can manage authentication levels centrally, creating an efficient feedback loop that maintains security without requiring complex point-to-point verification between services.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer readable media embodiments for global identity verification of a user for multiple services. In some embodiments, a centralized authentication platform (CAP) may receive a request from an independent service to generate an authentication token for a client device based on authentication performed by the service. The CAP may generate an authentication token of a particular authorization level, based on the method of authentication used by the service. The CAP may send the token to the client device as well as store the token in a database. The CAP may receive a second request from a second, unrelated service to validate the authentication token on the client device. The CAP may validate the token on the client device against the token in the database based on an authentication level thereof, and send a response to the second service indicating token validity.