Connection Escalation for Dynamic Privilege Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information handling systems lack efficient mechanisms for dynamic privilege management and connection escalation in managed networks, leading to potential security vulnerabilities and administrative inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for as-needed connection escalation in managed networks, where a management system classifies administrators and scripts into privilege levels, and uses connection engines to establish and escalate connections based on required privileges, ensuring secure and efficient access to network resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If administrators are granted high privilege levels to perform administrative tasks, then operational flexibility and task completion capability are improved, but security risk and potential system vulnerability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts administrator privilege levels based on the specific task being performed. Connection engines establish connections at the minimum necessary privilege level for each administrative task, rather than maintaining static high-privilege connections. This allows operational flexibility when needed while minimizing security exposure during routine operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different privilege levels are assigned to different administrative tasks and connection types. The system classifies administrators and scripts into specific privilege levels (0-3) based on their required access, ensuring that each connection uses the appropriate local privilege level rather than a universal high-privilege approach.
2Ease of operation
If connection privilege levels are statically assigned to administrators, then system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to varying task requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of administrators and scripts into privilege levels during setup. This preliminary action creates a structured framework that simplifies ongoing operations while maintaining adaptability, as the classification system is designed to accommodate various task requirements through its hierarchical privilege structure.
Solution Approach 2:
While maintaining a structured classification system for ease of operation, the system dynamically selects appropriate privilege levels based on task requirements. The connection manager automatically determines the necessary privilege level for each administrative task, providing both operational simplicity and task-specific adaptability.
3Reliability
If administrators frequently change login credentials to maintain security, then security posture is improved, but administrative efficiency and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection manager acts as an intermediary between administrators and network resources, handling credential management and privilege escalation automatically. This intermediary layer maintains security through controlled credential usage while shielding administrators from the burden of frequent credential changes, thus preserving both security posture and administrative efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service credential management through automated privilege escalation and connection management. The connection manager automatically handles authentication and privilege level adjustments based on task requirements, eliminating the need for administrators to manually change credentials while maintaining strong security controls.
4Reliability
If the system implements detailed privilege classification and connection management, then network security and access control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments privilege management into distinct classification levels (0-3) and separate connection types (administrative, operational, monitoring). This segmentation creates a structured framework that improves security through granular control while managing complexity through organized categorization and standardized connection handlers.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes selecting a first connection between a connection manager and a managed system, the first connection being associated with a first privilege level, communicating by the connection manager a first command to the managed system via the first connection, determining that a second command is executable on the managed system using a connection that is associated with a second privilege level, the second privilege level being a lower privilege level than the first privilege level, selecting a second connection between the connection manager and the managed system, the second connection being associated with the second privilege level, and communicating, by the connection manager, the second command to the managed system via the second connection.