Cloud Services Management System Security Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud services management systems face security breaches when cluster masters and nodes reside in different networks with incompatible security paradigms, posing risks to applications handling sensitive information.
Innovation Solution
A cloud services management system that ensures secure communication between cluster masters and nodes by implementing secure communication paths, including SSH tunnels and HTTPS, and using route rules to manage interactions with external APIs and domains, while maintaining compatibility with different security profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cluster master resides in a public network and cluster nodes reside within a project assigned to a cloud services consumer, then the system enables multi-tenant cloud deployment and scalability, but security breaches occur when incompatible security paradigms are used between provider and consumer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a security gateway as an intermediary component between the cluster master in the public network and cluster nodes in the private network. This gateway translates between different security paradigms (domain-based whitelists from the provider and IP-based whitelists from the consumer), enabling secure communication without requiring both sides to use the same security mechanism. The gateway acts as a mediator that reconciles incompatible security policies while maintaining both the scalability of multi-tenant deployment and the security requirements of individual consumers.
2Ease of manufacture
If domain-based whitelists are used for security management, then the cloud services provider can simplify security policy implementation, but the cloud services consumer cannot enforce its own security policies when nodes are in different networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of security policy format from a fixed domain-based approach to a flexible format that can be translated between domain-based and IP-based whitelists. The security gateway converts security policies from one format to another based on the network context, allowing the system to adapt security parameters dynamically. This enables the provider to use simple domain-based policies while consumers can enforce their own IP-based policies, with the gateway handling the translation transparently.
3Reliability
If secure communication channels like SSH tunnels and HTTPS are implemented, then security against breaches is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple communication paths and route rules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal security gateway that handles multiple communication protocols (SSH, HTTPS, and custom protocols) through a single unified component. Rather than requiring separate security mechanisms for each protocol, the gateway provides multi-functional security services including authentication, encryption, and protocol translation. This reduces the overall system complexity by consolidating security functions while maintaining reliable secure communication across different protocols and network configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A cloud services management system and method that is capable of ensuring that communication between one or more cluster master(s) and cluster nodes is disclosed. The cloud services management system ensures secure communication that are not susceptible to security breaches even when the cluster master(s) and the cluster nodes reside in different networks (and/or have different security profiles, particularly in a public network). The cloud service management system utilizes three main communication paths: (1) a first route to manage communication between cluster master and a cluster; (2) a second route to manage communication between a cluster and one or more services/APIs; and (3) a third route to manage communication between a cluster and external domains. One purpose of these routes is to prevent direct communication between a cluster and the Internet (since such communication can be unsecured and prone to security risks and threats).