Independently Configurable Access Control Stages for Cloud Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud computing and distributed computing environments face challenges in protecting host system resources from malicious or poorly designed applications, as existing access control methods are inadequate for ensuring security, privacy, and performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of independently configurable access control devices that process access requests via an interconnect, allowing both host and user applications to configure access controls, enabling hardware-based security features such as remapping and interleaving to enhance security and performance without conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware-based access control is implemented to protect host system resources, then security and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access control device is divided into multiple independently configurable stages, each performing a specific function (e.g., address translation, permission checking, encryption). This segmentation allows the complex security function to be broken down into manageable, modular components that can be configured and maintained independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high security standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The access control device implements dynamic configuration capabilities where access control policies can be modified at runtime without requiring system restart or reconfiguration of the entire device. This dynamic nature allows the system to adapt to changing security requirements while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple access control configurations are allowed for different applications, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements multiple independent access control stages that can be individually configured for different applications and workloads. Each stage can be programmed with application-specific policies, allowing high adaptability while keeping the configuration process modular and manageable through the segmented architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The access control device is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple applications and workloads simultaneously through its independently configurable stages. Each stage can be assigned to different applications with different security requirements, allowing one device to fulfill multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated devices for each application.
3Reliability
If access control processing is performed for every access request, then security is improved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The access control device performs preliminary configuration of access control policies and rules before actual access requests are processed. Access control parameters, permission sets, and translation tables are pre-computed and loaded into the device, enabling rapid processing of access requests without performing full security validation for each individual request, thus maintaining security while improving processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Access control lookups may be implemented that support user-configurable and host-configurable processing stages. A request may be received and evaluated to determine whether bypass of user-configured access request processing stages should be bypassed. A lookup may be determined for user-configured access controlled decisions, and the access control decisions can be applied, if not bypassed. A lookup may be determined for a host-configured access control decisions and the access control decisions applied.