Collaborative Password Management with Segmented Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional password management software is designed for single users and does not facilitate secure sharing of credentials between multiple users, posing security risks when team members need to access shared accounts.
Innovation Solution
A collaborative security management system that allows multiple users to access and manage secured information through a processing device and memory device, with defined security rules for access privileges and operations, enabling secure sharing and management of sensitive data like login credentials and cryptographic keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional password management software is used for single user, then security is maintained, but credential sharing between multiple users becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single user account into multiple user identities within the password management system. Each user has their own credentials and access permissions, allowing secure multi-user operation without compromising security. The system divides the credential storage and access control into separate user-specific segments while maintaining centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of user management by adding user profiles and access control layers to the traditional single-user password manager. This dimensional expansion allows the system to handle multiple users with different permission levels, transforming the system from 2D (single user, credentials) to 3D (multiple users, credentials, permission levels).
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users share one account in password management software, then credential sharing is enabled, but confidentiality and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different access permissions and confidentiality levels to different users. Each user has specific credentials they can access based on their role and needs, rather than having universal access to all credentials. This localized access control ensures that users can only view or modify credentials relevant to their responsibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary access control mechanism that mediates between multiple users and the credential storage. This intermediary layer verifies user identities, enforces permission policies, and controls access to credentials, preventing direct unauthorized access while enabling legitimate sharing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual credential sharing between team members is performed, then sharing is achieved, but security and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service credential sharing through automated authentication and permission management. Users can independently access shared credentials through the password management system without requiring manual intervention from credential owners or IT administrators. The system automatically handles authentication, authorization, and credential distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring user profiles, access permissions, and credential associations before sharing is needed. The system establishes the framework for secure sharing in advance, so when users need to access credentials, the authentication and authorization processes are already in place, eliminating manual setup steps.
4Ease of operation
If multiple users access all credentials in one account, then complete access is granted, but security and confidentiality are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing user-specific access scopes. Each user has a customized view of credentials based on their permissions, showing only the credentials they are authorized to access. This creates localized access experiences for different users while maintaining centralized security management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic access control where user permissions can be adjusted based on their roles, needs, and security requirements. The system dynamically determines which credentials each user can access, rather than using static all-or-nothing access rules. This dynamic approach maintains simplicity for authorized users while protecting confidential credentials.
Data Source
AI summary
A collaborative security management system and methods are presented. The system includes a processor communicating with two or more user devices and memory communicating with the processor. The memory stores instructions that when executed result in the processor storing two or more data structures in memory. Each data structure includes secured information. The processor establishes at least one safe associated with the data structures and defines security rules for the safe. Each rule governs one of an access and an operations privilege. The access privilege grants or denies access to the safe by the user devices via an interface. The operations privilege enables or disables performance of operations upon the safe initiated by the user device from the interface. The processor controls, by the security rules, at least one of access to and operations performed upon the safes and data structures associated therewith by the user devices.