Cloud-Mediated Output Routing for Secure Remote Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face security issues when users are outside the company, as they cannot check received data via the cloud and remote changes to the apparatus settings are possible from outside.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that allows users to remotely set the output destination of received data to either print or upload to a cloud server via instruction information stored on the cloud, enabling secure access and control from outside the company.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If received data is set to be printed locally, then data can be accessed when user is inside the company, but user cannot check data from outside and security is compromised due to remote access vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud server as an intermediary between the image forming apparatus and external devices. Received data is uploaded to the cloud server, which then mediates access requests from external devices. This resolves the contradiction by enabling external access through the cloud intermediary while maintaining security by blocking direct remote access to the image forming apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data access function by separating local printing capability from external access capability. Local printing remains available for internal use, while external access is routed through cloud-based storage and retrieval. This segmentation allows both local convenience and external accessibility without compromising security.
2Ease of operation
If received data is set to be uploaded to the cloud, then user can check data from outside via cloud, but direct access to image forming apparatus is still possible creating security risk
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud server acts as an intermediary that handles all external access requests. The image forming apparatus only communicates with the cloud server for data uploads, and external devices only access data through the cloud server. This intermediary architecture enables remote accessibility while eliminating direct access pathways that could be exploited for security breaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the data storage and access function from the image forming apparatus and places it in the cloud server. This extraction removes the vulnerability of direct remote access to the image forming apparatus, as external devices now interact only with the cloud server, not the imaging device itself.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cloud upload is enabled for received data, then data can be accessed externally, but apparatus settings can be remotely changed from outside
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud server serves as an intermediary that permits data operations while blocking configuration changes. The system architecture allows the cloud server to mediate data uploads and downloads, providing flexible remote data management, while the access control mechanisms prevent the cloud server from initiating apparatus configuration changes, thus blocking remote configuration attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional access model by allowing data access through the cloud while explicitly blocking configuration access. Instead of permitting full remote access and then restricting specific functions, the system is designed to only permit data-related operations through the cloud interface, inherently preventing configuration attacks by design.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system includes a processor configured to: set, in a case where instruction information for providing an instruction to set an output destination of received data to any one of printing using a printing apparatus or upload to an external device is registered in the external device, the output destination of the data received from an outside according to the instruction provided by the instruction information.