Code Provenance Tracking via Segment Annotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software development methodologies struggle to manage code access permissions effectively, particularly in team environments where developers require varying levels of access to code segments, and there is a need to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive code.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method and apparatus for managing code access by identifying code access events, determining the required permissions for code segments, verifying user credentials, and assigning limited access based on the credentials, while also tracking and annotating code access activities for auditing purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If strict access restrictions are imposed on code segments, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but developer productivity and team growth potential deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments code into different sensitivity levels (sensitive, semi-sensitive, non-sensitive) and applies different access controls to each segment. This allows developers to access non-sensitive code freely while sensitive code requires authentication, thus maintaining productivity while improving security.
Solution Approach 2:
Different access permission levels are assigned to different code segments based on their sensitivity. Critical code segments have strict access controls while less critical segments have more permissive access. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying strict controls only where necessary.
2Reliability
If granular code access control is implemented, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access control system is segmented into discrete permission types (view, modify, execute) and code sensitivity levels. This modular segmentation makes the complex access control system more manageable and easier to implement compared to a monolithic access control approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The access control system provides multiple functions (authentication, authorization, auditing, automatic permission assignment) through a unified mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate systems.
3Measurement precision
If code access monitoring and annotation are performed, then audit capability and compliance are improved, but processing time and system overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Access permissions and monitoring rules are pre-configured for different code segments and user roles. When a developer accesses code, the system automatically applies pre-defined permission sets and annotation templates, eliminating the need for real-time decision-making and reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs monitoring, annotation, and permission verification without requiring manual intervention. Code segments self-annotate their access events and the system automatically enforces permission rules, reducing overhead while maintaining precise tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
One example method of operation may include determining one or more of a file type and a code segment accessed during a code access event, identifying code origin information appended to the code segment during previous code access events, appending an updated code access location to the code segment identifying the current code access event and a current code location, and applying one or more code access restrictions to the code segment based on the current code location.