Contextual Security Recommendations for Network Data Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network security systems generate lengthy reports of security issues, overwhelming administrators and requiring expensive on-demand calls to retrieve operational state data, making it difficult to prioritize and remediate security threats effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system that provides contextual security recommendations based on periodically cached state information, allowing administrators to navigate a GUI that prioritizes security issues and overlays recommendations directly on the relevant pages, enabling quick remediation without costly on-demand data retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional security reporting methods are used to examine all network devices, then comprehensive security coverage is achieved, but the security report becomes a long list of thousands of issues that overwhelms administrators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overwhelming list of security issues by organizing them according to network device hierarchy and topology. Security findings are grouped by device type (routers, switches, firewalls, etc.) and further organized by their position in the network hierarchy, transforming a flat list of thousands of issues into a structured, navigable hierarchy that administrators can systematically address.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing contextual information specific to each device and location in the network hierarchy. Each security finding is presented with device-specific operational state data, configuration details, and localized remediation guidance, allowing administrators to focus on the specific context of each issue rather than generic security advice.
2Measurement precision
If on-demand calls are made to network devices to retrieve operational state data, then current security state information is obtained, but expensive calls are made to the relevant network devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by periodically caching operational state data from network devices before security analysis is needed. The system proactively collects and stores device configuration, performance metrics, and operational state information in a local cache, so that when security analysis is performed, the data is already available without requiring expensive on-demand retrieval calls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of operational state data by maintaining a cached replica of device information locally. Instead of repeatedly querying the original devices, the system uses cached copies of device data for security analysis and reporting, significantly reducing the number of expensive communication calls to network devices while maintaining analysis accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If a GUI is used to navigate different aspects of network security, then detailed security information can be examined, but expensive calls are made to retrieve operational state data on-demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cached operational state data directly into the GUI interface, so that when administrators navigate through security findings and device details, the contextual information is already loaded and displayed without triggering additional data retrieval calls. The GUI leverages the pre-cached data to provide responsive, detailed security analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cached copies of device operational state data to populate the GUI interface. All device information, configuration details, and security findings displayed in the GUI are drawn from the local cache rather than making real-time calls to network devices, enabling comprehensive security navigation without incurring additional data retrieval costs.
4Productivity
If security recommendations are provided without contextual information, then remediation steps can be identified, but administrators lack the operational state data needed to implement remediation effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges security recommendations with contextual operational state data by co-locating remediation guidance directly with the relevant device information and current state data in the GUI. Each security finding is presented alongside the specific device configuration, operational metrics, and contextual information needed to implement the remediation, eliminating the need for administrators to switch between multiple data sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the cached operational state data as an intermediary that bridges security recommendations and device configuration. The cached data provides the contextual link between identified security issues and the specific device state, allowing administrators to understand both the problem and the exact configuration changes needed for remediation without directly querying devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A network gateway interrogates a plurality of network devices to collect security state data and operational state data on a periodic basis. Contextual security recommendations are generated based on the security rating report. Security actions can be taken based on the contextual security recommendations.