Cloud Access Control System Automating API Key Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for providing API keys in data protection services are inefficient and introduce security risks due to manual handoffs, which can lead to inefficiencies and security breaches in data access control systems.
Innovation Solution
An access control system that provides an initial access secret directly to a cloud-based client machine based on its characteristics, using ticket data to authenticate and authorize access, thereby eliminating the need for manual handoffs and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handoff methods are used to provide API keys, then security risks are introduced, but automation extent remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing client machines to automatically obtain API keys through authentication credentials without requiring manual handoff from administrators. The access control system automatically validates credentials and issues keys, eliminating human intervention in the key distribution process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication by validating the client machine's authentication credentials before issuing the API key. This preliminary verification ensures that only authorized clients receive keys, preventing security breaches before they occur.
2Reliability
If manual handoff methods are used to provide API keys, then security risks increase, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system allows client machines to independently obtain API keys through credential validation, eliminating the need for manual key distribution. This self-service mechanism simultaneously improves security through automated validation and increases productivity by removing manual bottlenecks in the key provisioning process.
3Productivity
If automated access control is implemented, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access control system serves multiple functions: it validates authentication credentials, issues API keys, and manages client authorization. By consolidating these functions into a single automated system, the patent improves productivity while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate systems.
4Reliability
If API keys are provided manually, then security risks are introduced, but ease of operation remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains ease of operation by allowing client machines to automatically obtain API keys through credential validation without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach eliminates security risks associated with manual key distribution while preserving operational convenience through automated key issuance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system provides access control for sensitive data. An access control system defines a plurality of access policies for gaining access to the sensitive data. Each access policy includes a plurality of rules that indicate whether or not a client machine can gain access to an initial access secret under the policy. If a client machine requests access to the sensitive data, the access control system checks to see if the client machine satisfies the rules of the access policy. If the characteristics of the client machine satisfy the rules of the access policy, then the access control system provides a ticket to the client machine and instructs the client machine to write the ticket to a client machine information database. If the client machine writes the ticket to the client machine information database, then the access control system provides an initial access secret to the client machine.