Context Pinning for Secure Guest Access on Computing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for securing computing devices when shared with guest users are often time-consuming, inflexible, and require technical knowledge, as they do not allow for customizable and secure access to specific applications and tasks without extensive setup procedures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of context pinning systems that record and monitor user actions on computing devices, determine permitted actions and applications based on recorded contexts, and enforce security actions if unauthorized activities are detected, providing flexible and secure shared access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user sets up a guest user account with limited authorization, then security is improved, but the setup process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically creating a restricted guest user account and configuring context pinning settings before the user needs to share their device. The context pinning framework pre-defines permitted applications and actions, eliminating the need for manual security configuration at the moment of sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing any user to initiate context pinning without technical knowledge. The user simply selects the application and desired duration, and the system automatically handles account creation, permission setting, and security enforcement, making security management accessible to non-technical users.
2Reliability
If conventional access restriction methods are used, then security is improved, but flexibility is reduced as applications cannot adapt to different guest user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by configuring security restrictions specific to each application and each guest user's needs. Instead of uniform restrictions across the entire device, context pinning allows granular control over which actions are permitted within specific applications, enabling tailored security profiles for different sharing scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by allowing context pinning configurations to be adjusted in real-time based on the sharing scenario. Users can dynamically change the duration of access, select different applications for different guests, and modify permitted actions based on the specific task at hand, making security adaptive rather than static.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive monitoring of user actions is implemented, then detection of unauthorized activities is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and monitors only the specific actions and events relevant to context pinning enforcement. Instead of implementing comprehensive system-wide monitoring, the framework focuses on capturing mutation events, application launches, and user interactions within the pinned context, reducing monitoring overhead while maintaining detection accuracy for unauthorized activities.
4Reliability
If context pinning with action recording is implemented, then secure shared access is improved, but loss of information about user actions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by recording user actions within the pinned context and using this information to enforce security policies. The recorded actions provide feedback to the context pinning framework, enabling real-time detection of violations and automatic enforcement of restrictions, ensuring that security decisions are based on actual user behavior rather than static rules.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed computer-implemented method for enforcing secure shared access on computing devices by context pinning may include recording, on the computing device, one or more actions performed on one or more applications, determining, based on the recorded actions and applications, a context that defines permitted actions and applications for a guest user of the computing device, monitoring, based on the context, user activity on the computing device, detecting an activity that violates the context, and performing, in response to the detection, a security action. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.