Credential Rotation Scripts for Legacy Routine Cooperation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The adoption of regular automated credential rotation in large-scale processing systems has been slow due to the significant time and resource requirements for modifying existing software routines, with many systems still using static security credentials that are not frequently changed, leading to security vulnerabilities.

Innovation Solution

A script is executed within the secure execution environment of an application routine to automate the frequent rotation of security credentials, mimicking operator commands and interacting with the secrets management service to ensure seamless credential updates without disrupting system operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If security credentials are automatically rotated on a frequent basis, then security is improved, but the time and resource requirements for modifying software routines increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidtime and resource requirements for modifying software routines

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a credential management service as an intermediary component that handles credential rotation automatically. This service acts as a mediator between the application routines and the credential storage, providing standardized interfaces for credential retrieval and rotation without requiring modifications to the core application logic. The intermediary absorbs the complexity of rotation scheduling and execution, allowing frequent credential updates while minimizing the time and resources needed for implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the credential management functionality into separate, modular components: a credential management service, a rotation scheduler, and integration interfaces. This segmentation allows the credential rotation logic to be implemented independently from the application routines, enabling frequent rotation without requiring widespread software modifications. Each segment can be updated and maintained separately, reducing the overall time and resource investment needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If security credentials are manually changed during repairs and upgrades, then adaptability is maintained, but the frequency of credential rotation remains low leading to security vulnerabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability during repairs and upgradesVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability due to infrequent rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The credential management system implements self-service capability through automated rotation scheduling and execution. The rotation scheduler automatically identifies when credentials need rotation and executes the rotation process without human intervention. The system monitors credential usage, tracks rotation timelines, and performs updates autonomously, eliminating the need for manual credential changes during repairs and upgrades while maintaining system adaptability through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-scheduling credential rotation tasks and pre-generating replacement credentials before they are needed. The rotation scheduler plans credential updates in advance, preparing new credentials and coordinating rotation timing to minimize disruption. This preliminary preparation ensures that credentials are rotated frequently and securely without requiring reactive manual intervention when security vulnerabilities arise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If existing software routines are modified to implement credential rotation, then security best practices are adopted, but the complexity of software architecture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity best practice adoptionVSAvoidsoftware architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The credential management service provides universal functionality by implementing a standardized interface that can be used by multiple application routines across different systems. This multi-functional service handles various credential types, rotation schedules, and storage mechanisms through a unified architecture. By providing a universal credential management solution, the system adopts security best practices without requiring each application routine to be individually modified with complex, specialized rotation logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12549543B2Effecting cooperation among executable routines to implement regular automated credential rotation

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NA

AI summary

In one example, a method for rotating security credentials includes instantiating an execution environment in which to execute instructions of a script. The method also includes executing the instructions of the script within the execution environment to cause the at least one processor to monitor a passage of time to identify an arrival of a time to coordinate a rotation of a security credential between an executable routine and a secrets management service. The at least one processor is also caused, in response to identifying the arrival of the time, perform operations including: providing a first request to the executable routine to communicate with the secrets management service of the processing device to request rotation of the security credential at the secrets management service, and providing a second request to the executable routine to rotate the security credential at the executable routine.