Cloud Instance Authentication via Time-Limited Encrypted Credentials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication systems for accessing instances in cloud computing environments face challenges in securely and efficiently authenticating temporary access requests from clients without user accounts, risking unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a processor and memory to receive access requests, send encryption requests to a security device, and transmit encrypted information back to the client device, utilizing a private key for encryption and a public key for decryption, with an expiration time to manage access permissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional authentication methods are used for temporary access requests, then the authentication process is simple, but security is compromised risking unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system that sits between the client device and the instance. This intermediary receives access requests, generates time-limited credentials through encryption operations, and validates them against the instance. The intermediary complexity shields the underlying cryptographic complexity from the client while ensuring secure authentication without requiring long-term credential storage or complex key management at the client level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the authentication approach by changing the temporal parameter of credentials from permanent to time-limited. Instead of providing lasting access credentials, the system generates credentials with embedded expiration times. This parameter change enables temporary access without requiring complex revocation mechanisms, as expired credentials automatically become invalid, simplifying the overall security model while maintaining high security standards.
2Ease of operation
If permanent access credentials are provided to clients, then access is convenient, but the risk of unauthorized access increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making access credentials temporary and time-bound rather than static and permanent. The authentication system generates credentials that are valid only for specific time windows, and the instance validates these time-limited credentials dynamically. This dynamic approach maintains ease of operation during the valid period while automatically reducing unauthorized access risk after expiration, eliminating the need for manual credential revocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent treats authentication credentials as disposable, short-lived objects rather than permanent assets. Each access request generates a new time-limited credential that becomes invalid after its expiration time. This disposable credential model is computationally inexpensive to generate and validate, providing convenient temporary access while inherently limiting the window for unauthorized access attempts, as expired credentials cannot be reused.
3Reliability
If encryption operations are performed for each access request, then security is enhanced, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating time-limited credentials during the authentication request phase, before actual access is needed. The encryption operations are performed upfront to create validated, time-bound credentials that can be stored and used multiple times within their validity period. This shifts the computational burden to the initial authentication phase, making subsequent access operations faster while maintaining enhanced security through the time-limited nature of the credentials.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for authenticating access to an instance have been disclosed. The system comprises a processor and a memory that includes instructions executable by the processor to cause the system to receive an access request to the instance from a client device and to send an encryption request of information to a security device. The information includes an expiration time and the security device encrypts the information using a private key that is secured in the security device. The memory includes further instructions executable by the processor to cause the system to receive the encrypted information from the security device and to send the encrypted information to the client device. The encrypted information is decryptable by the instance using a public key associated with the private key in response to the client device providing the encrypted information to the instance.