Context-Aware Threat Management via Hostile Environment Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing device security measures are inadequate in addressing non-software based threats and multi-environment vulnerabilities, as they primarily focus on localized protection and fail to account for external and physical environment threats.

Innovation Solution

A context-aware proactive threat management system that utilizes a hostile environment detection module to assess threats by combining internal and external activity data, enabling automated and manual mitigation operations, and providing visualization to the user for informed decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If localized threat neutralization measures (virus protection, firewalls) are implemented, then device protection against software threats is improved, but protection against non-software threats and external environment threats deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice protectionVSAvoidprotection scope

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The security system is transformed from specialized single-function modules (virus protection, firewall) into a universal multi-functional threat management platform. The centralized security module integrates multiple protection capabilities including software threat detection, physical environment monitoring, network security, and device control functions into one unified system that can adapt to various threat types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A centralized security module acts as an intermediary between the device and multiple threat sources. This module receives and processes information from diverse sources (sensors, network, system logs) and coordinates responses across different protection layers, enabling unified management of both software and physical security threats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional security measures are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but ability to detect and respond to modern threats deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidthreat detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional mechanical security measures (firewalls, antivirus signatures) are replaced with an intelligent system that uses sensors, data collection modules, and automated analysis. The system substitutes static rule-based protection with dynamic, context-aware threat detection that continuously monitors and adapts to emerging threats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The security system incorporates automated self-diagnosis and self-response capabilities. The centralized module automatically analyzes collected data, identifies threats, and executes mitigation actions without requiring constant manual intervention, thereby maintaining ease of implementation while enhancing detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive threat monitoring is implemented, then threat detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethreat detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The comprehensive monitoring system is segmented into modular functional components: data collection modules, analysis modules, response modules, and visualization modules. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently configured, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive monitoring capability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Speed

If automated mitigation operations are implemented, then response speed is improved, but user control and verification capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethreat response speedVSAvoiduser control

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automated mitigation system incorporates feedback mechanisms that provide real-time notifications to users about detected threats and actions taken. The system maintains automated rapid response while enabling user oversight through alerts, logs, and control interfaces that allow users to review and, if necessary, override automated decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9973527B2Context-aware proactive threat management system

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 INTEL CORP

AI summary

This disclosure is directed to a context-aware proactive threat management system. In general, a device may use internal activity data along with data about external activities (e.g., provided by remote resources) for threat assessment and mitigation. A device may comprise, for example, a hostile environment detection (HED) module to coordinate threat assessment and mitigation. The HED module may accumulate internal activity data (e.g., from security services in the device), and external activity data regarding a system environment and/or a physical environment from the remote resources. The HED module may then assess threats based on the activity data and determine automated and/or manual mitigation operations to respond to the threats. In one embodiment, visualization features may also be used to, for example, visualize threats to a user, visualize automatic/manual mitigation operations, request user confirmation regarding the performance of manual mitigation operations, etc.