Credential Management via Mesh Agents in Overlay Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and monitoring infrastructure access in networked environments, particularly in distributed services, is challenging due to increased complexity and regulatory compliance requirements, where centralized management of credential information poses security risks.
Innovation Solution
A system employing mesh agents in an overlay network to securely manage and transmit credential information, using credential instructions to access resource servers without directly holding sensitive information, thus reducing security risks and enhancing compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If centralized management of credential information is implemented, then infrastructure access management is improved, but security risk increases due to direct access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces credential agents as intermediary components that mediate between the centralized credential management system and resource servers. These agents store credential information locally and present it on behalf of users, eliminating the need for direct access to centralized credential storage while maintaining centralized management capabilities. This resolves the contradiction by providing both centralized control and reduced security risk through the intermediary layer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If distributed services are expanded, then service versatility is improved, but credential management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the credential management system into multiple independent credential agents deployed across different locations and services. Each agent handles credentials for specific resources independently, allowing the system to scale to distributed services without increasing overall management complexity. The segmentation enables localized credential handling while maintaining centralized coordination through the overlay network.
3Reliability
If regulatory compliance is enhanced, then security reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple jurisdiction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal credential management architecture where credential agents can operate across multiple jurisdictions and regulatory environments using the same core mechanisms. The system provides multi-functional capability to handle different compliance requirements through configurable policies and procedures rather than requiring separate systems for each jurisdiction, thereby maintaining security reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to credential management for distributed services. A plurality of mesh agents for an overlay network may be provided such that the overlay network may be employed to provide a secure tunnel between a client and a resource server. If client request that requires user credentials is provided to a mesh agent associated with the resource server, credential instructions may be provided to the mesh agent and the credential instructions may be employed to determine credential information that enables access to the resource server. The mesh agent may be employed to communicate the client request and the credential information to the resource server; determining a response to the client request from the resource server; employing the mesh agent to receive a response to the client request from the resource server and forwarded to the client over the overlay network.