Credential Management System for Application Modernization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Application modernization is complex and time-consuming due to the need for authorized access to numerous resources across various systems, requiring efficient credential management while maintaining confidentiality and allowing collaboration without blocking users.
Innovation Solution
A credential management system automates the process of granting credentials to application modernization systems, using a hierarchical approach with global defaults, specifically associated credentials, and alias-based authentication to streamline access across different resources and platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual credential management is used to access multiple resources, then credential confidentiality can be maintained, but the application modernization process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a credential management system that acts as an intermediary between users and resources. This system automatically retrieves, manages, and provides credentials without exposing them to users, thereby maintaining confidentiality while enabling efficient access to multiple resources during application modernization
Solution Approach 2:
The credential management system enables self-service by automatically handling credential retrieval and distribution. The system autonomously manages the credential lifecycle including obtaining credentials from resource owners and providing them to appropriate users without manual intervention, thus reducing time loss while maintaining security
2Productivity
If credentials are shared among multiple users for collaboration, then productivity increases, but credential exposure and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts credentials from the user domain and places them in a dedicated credential management system. Users interact with the system through aliases rather than direct credential exposure, allowing multiple users to collaborate efficiently while the actual credentials remain secured in the management system
Solution Approach 2:
The credential management system serves as an intermediary layer between users and resources. It provides credential access to multiple users for collaboration while preventing direct credential exposure through its automated management and alias-based authentication mechanism
3Productivity
If automated credential retrieval is implemented, then access efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The credential management system is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple credential types (passwords, tokens, certificates) and serves multiple functions (retrieval, management, distribution). This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be multiple separate systems, improving access efficiency while managing complexity through a single unified solution
Data Source
AI summary
Credentials management and usage in application modernization can be implemented as computer-readable methods, media and systems. A notification identifying an application modernization operation is received. The operation is to be performed on an application deployed by multiple resources arranged in multiple hierarchical levels. A resource residing at a hierarchical level of the multiple hierarchical levels is identified. The application modernization operation is to be performed on the identified resource which has a resource type. A search for a credential is performed. The credential grants access to the resource to enable performing the application modernization operation. In response to the searching, a credential included in the multiple credentials is identified. The identified credential grants access either to the resource or to resources of the resource type. In response to receiving the notification, the identified credential is provided.