Cloud Application Rules Engine for Automated Security Remediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cybersecurity management for cloud-based applications is manual, opinion-based, and lacks data-driven consistency, posing challenges for companies in identifying and remediating vulnerabilities, especially for developers who may not be aware of all cybersecurity rules.
Innovation Solution
A rules engine computing device automates cybersecurity assessment by codifying company-specific and national standards into rules, scanning cloud-based applications through APIs, flagging non-conformities, and optionally remediating issues, with features for user notification and dashboard reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual cybersecurity assessment is used, then flexibility in judgment is maintained, but consistency and objectivity deteriorate due to human bias and opinion-based evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual cybersecurity assessment with an automated rules engine that uses computer programs to evaluate application configurations against stored security rules. The system automatically queries cloud servers for application data, compares it against codified security rules, and generates compliance reports without human intervention, thereby eliminating bias and ensuring consistent measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms subjective security assessments into objective parameter comparisons by codifying security standards into structured rules with specific parameters (e.g., password requirements, encryption standards). The rules engine then systematically compares application configurations against these predefined parameters, converting qualitative judgment into quantitative measurement.
2Reliability
If automated rules engine is implemented, then consistency and objectivity of security assessment improve, but ease of operation deteriorates for developers unfamiliar with cybersecurity rules
Solution Approach 1:
The rules engine operates autonomously to assess application security compliance without requiring developer intervention. The system automatically queries cloud servers, retrieves application configuration data, compares it against stored rules, and generates compliance reports. This self-service capability maintains reliability through objective automated evaluation while preserving ease of operation by eliminating the need for developers to manually configure or understand complex security assessment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rules engine as an intermediary between developers and cybersecurity requirements. The engine translates complex security standards into automated comparisons, shielding developers from the complexity of security rule interpretation while maintaining reliable compliance assessment. The intermediary handles the technical complexity of rule matching and data retrieval, allowing developers to focus on application functionality rather than security compliance.
3Productivity
If manual security monitoring is performed, then adaptability to specific business needs is maintained, but productivity and speed of vulnerability identification deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rules engine continuously monitors cloud-based applications by automatically querying cloud servers for application data and comparing it against security rules. This continuous operation enables real-time detection of security violations without interruption, significantly improving productivity in vulnerability identification compared to periodic manual assessments. The system maintains continuous useful action through automated data retrieval, comparison, and report generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent stores security rules and compliance criteria in advance within the rules engine before actual assessment occurs. The system pre-configures comparison parameters, data retrieval queries, and evaluation logic, enabling rapid automated assessment when needed. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual rule setup during assessment, improving productivity while containing complexity through pre-engineered assessment frameworks.
4Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive security rules are applied, then thoroughness of security assessment improves, but device complexity and processing requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides comprehensive security assessment into discrete, manageable rules and comparisons. The rules engine processes security requirements as separate, modular rule sets that can be independently applied to different application components. This segmentation enables thorough verification of multiple security aspects (data encryption, access controls, configuration standards) while managing complexity through structured, incremental processing of individual rule comparisons.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a computer system including at least one processor in communication with a memory. The at least one processor is programmed to: (i) retrieve, from the memory, rules associated with running one or more applications on a third-party server, (ii) transmit a query to a third-party server to retrieve application data associated with the one or more applications run on the third-party server, (iii) compare the retrieved rules and the application data, (iv) detect, based upon the comparison, that a first application of the one or more applications violates one or more of the rules, (v) automatically remediate the first application to conform with the one or more violated rules, and/or (v) transmit a notification to a user associated with the first application including the one or more violated rules and the automatic remediation performed.