Cloud Access Control Service with Segmented Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current access control systems in cloud computing environments lack the ability to manage and customize access effectively, particularly across different cloud providers, and fail to provide comprehensive permission management and auditing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

An access control service that provides directory and authorization services, allowing customers to define and enforce access control rules, manage identities, resources, and permissions, and offers auditing and reporting features, while being compatible across various cloud environments and minimizing network architecture disruption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional access control systems are used in cloud computing environments, then basic authentication is provided, but comprehensive permission management and customization capabilities are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control customizationVSAvoidaccess control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: identity management module, permission management module, policy management module, and auditing module. Each module handles specific aspects of access control, allowing independent configuration and management of different access control rules and policies across cloud resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access control service provides universal permission management capabilities that work across multiple cloud providers and different cloud resources (virtual servers, databases, storage). The system uses standardized interfaces and protocols to manage access control uniformly across diverse cloud environments, eliminating the need for provider-specific access control implementations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different cloud providers use different access control systems, then each provider maintains their own control mechanisms, but compatibility and统一管理 across providers are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-cloud compatibilityVSAvoidaccess control management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access control service implements universal compatibility with multiple cloud providers through standardized authentication and authorization interfaces. It supports various cloud resource types and providers using common protocols, allowing unified access control management across heterogeneous cloud environments without requiring provider-specific customizations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The access control service acts as an intermediary layer between users and multiple cloud providers. It translates diverse cloud provider access control mechanisms into a unified permission management model, mediating between different cloud systems and providing consistent access control policies across all providers through a single management interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If basic access control is implemented, then initial user authorization is possible, but ongoing permission management and auditing capabilities are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidpermission management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The access control service implements comprehensive auditing that continuously monitors and logs access requests, permissions changes, and resource interactions. The auditing module provides real-time feedback on access control effectiveness and generates detailed reports for security analysis and compliance verification, enabling ongoing optimization of access control policies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary permission validation and policy checking before granting access to cloud resources. Access control policies are pre-configured and validated, ensuring that only authorized operations are permitted. This preliminary action prevents unauthorized access before it occurs, enhancing security while maintaining operational simplicity through automated policy enforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10397213B2Systems, methods, and software to provide access control in cloud computing environments
Publication Date: 2019.08.27 CYBER ARK SOFTWARE LTD
  • US10397213B2 patent drawing
  • US10397213B2 patent drawing
  • US10397213B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An access control service to provide access control for operations between resources and/or between resources and users in a cloud computing environment. The access control service receives a request to perform an operation. The requested operation could be initiated by a resource with respect to another resource. The requested operation could also be initiated by a user with respect to a resource. The access control service determines whether the requested operation is permitted. If the requested operation is permitted, the access control service provides the credentials required to perform the requested operation.