Cross-Tenant Request Authentication Using a Central Registry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-tenant database systems lack efficient mechanisms for authenticating and authorizing cross-tenant data access, particularly in cloud computing environments where data sharing between tenants is required while maintaining security and privacy.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an intermediary database system that stores security access keys and maintains tenant relationships, using cryptographic keys for authentication and authorization based on context, with a registry to manage permissions and public keys for cross-tenant communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-tenant database systems allow data sharing between tenants, then data accessibility and collaboration are improved, but security risks and unauthorized access increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system that sits between tenants and the multi-tenant database system. This intermediary validates authentication tokens, verifies tenant permissions, and authorizes cross-tenant data access requests. By acting as a mediator, it enables secure data sharing while preventing unauthorized access, thus resolving the contradiction between data accessibility and security.
2Device complexity
If traditional authentication mechanisms are used in multi-tenant systems, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but cross-tenant data access security is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication by requiring tenants to obtain authentication tokens before accessing the multi-tenant database system. The authentication token is issued after verifying the tenant's credentials and permissions in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when cross-tenant data access is requested, the system already has validated authentication information, improving security without significantly increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication token acts as an intermediary credential that carries tenant identity and permission information. Instead of implementing complex real-time verification mechanisms for each data access request, the system uses pre-validated tokens as intermediaries to authenticate and authorize cross-tenant access, simplifying the implementation while enhancing security.
3Reliability
If strict tenant isolation is enforced, then data security and privacy are improved, but data sharing and collaboration between tenants are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by differentiating authentication and authorization levels for different tenants and data contexts. Each tenant receives authentication tokens with specific permission scopes tailored to their needs and trust levels. This allows the system to enforce strict isolation for sensitive data while permitting controlled sharing for less sensitive data, achieving both privacy protection and collaborative capability simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are some implementations of systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products for facilitating the authentication of computing system requests across tenants of at least one multi-tenant database system. Authentication is facilitated using a central registry that is accessible by and independent from the tenants of the multi-tenant database system.