Context-Based Content Authorization for Network Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current access and privilege management systems are vulnerable to unauthorized users who gain access using stolen credentials, as they grant access based solely on login credentials without considering other factors, leading to potential malicious activity.
Innovation Solution
A context-based content authorization system that extracts network and application layer information from packets to determine the context of a network connection and authenticate users, comparing this context with a resource's context policy to grant or deny access, thereby preventing unauthorized access even if credentials are stolen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If access is granted based solely on login credentials, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of access control by moving from static credential-based authentication to dynamic context-based authorization. It evaluates multiple contextual parameters including device type, network location, time of access, and user behavior patterns to dynamically determine whether to grant or deny access, thereby maintaining ease of operation for legitimate users while enhancing security against credential theft
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring user behavior and contextual information during access sessions. It compares actual access patterns against expected behavior based on the user's role and organizational policies, providing real-time feedback that enables dynamic adjustment of access permissions and detection of unauthorized usage
2Reliability
If context-based authorization is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex authorization process into distinct functional modules: a context data collection module that gathers information about devices, networks, and users; a context evaluation module that assesses the collected data against security policies; and an access decision module that grants or denies access based on the evaluation. This segmentation manages complexity by organizing functions into manageable, independent components
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a context evaluation service as an intermediary between the authentication system and the protected resources. This mediator collects contextual information, evaluates it against security policies, and provides authorization decisions without requiring the core authentication system to be rewritten, thereby managing complexity through a layered architecture
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment includes extracting network layer information and application layer information from within a network packet. The embodiment determines a context of a network connection with a client device from which the network packet originated based at least in part on the network layer information and determines an identity of an end user with whom the network packet is associated based at least in part on the application layer information. The embodiment performs a sign-on process that authenticates the identified end user and authorizes, at a session level, the identified end user to access a particular resource of the network. The embodiment also performs a program-level authorization process that determines whether to provide program-level authorization to the identified end user based on a comparison of the context of the network connection with a context policy of the particular resource of the network.