Contextual Application Delivery via Posture-Based Version Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applications lack an efficient mechanism to determine the appropriate version for a user to access based on the overall posture of the device and user, which can impact security and functionality.
Innovation Solution
An application selection service determines a posture level based on user and device data, then selects an appropriate version of the application to launch, balancing security and user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device posture and user posture are restricted to meet certain requirements for accessing data, then security is improved, but functionality and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic application version selection based on real-time posture evaluation. The system continuously assesses device posture (security settings, OS version, managed status) and user posture (role, organization, authentication strength) to dynamically determine which application version to launch. This allows the system to adapt functionality based on current security conditions rather than applying static restrictions, resolving the contradiction between security and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of application version selection based on posture parameters. Different application versions are associated with different posture requirement profiles. When posture parameters meet certain thresholds, higher-functionality versions become available; when they fall below thresholds, restricted versions are launched. This parameter-based approach enables fine-grained control over the security-functionality tradeoff.
2Ease of operation
If a single application version is provided for all users, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service application version selection where the appropriate application version is automatically chosen based on the user's device and user posture. Users don't need to manually select or be aware of different versions - the system autonomously evaluates their posture and launches the appropriate version. This maintains ease of operation while enabling security-based differentiation, as users experience a single streamlined interface regardless of their posture level.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple application versions are made available to users, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the application version selection system) that manages the complexity of multiple application versions. This intermediary automatically evaluates posture parameters and selects the appropriate version, shielding users from the complexity of version management. Users interact with a single unified interface while the intermediary handles the complexity of determining which version to launch, thus enabling adaptability without increasing perceived device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various approaches for determining a version of an application for a user to access based at least in part an overall posture of the user and the device launching the application. An application can support multiple delivery mechanisms to allow a user different ways to access the service provided by the application. A posture level (e.g., level of risk, level of compliance) associated with the overall posture of a device and user accessing an application is determined. The posture level can be used to select which version of the application should be launched by the device in order to provide the best experience for the user while ensuring that security is considered.