Automated Cybersecurity Compliance Analysis via Self-Targeting OS Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cybersecurity compliance analysis processes for computer systems are inefficient due to substantial manual data entry and review requirements, with existing tools providing only partial automation and generating non-human readable results, necessitating significant human intervention and knowledge of the operating system.
Innovation Solution
A self-targeting method of automated cybersecurity analysis that includes providing an analysis software executable with accompanying files to a target computer system, determining the operating system identity, running shell scripts corresponding to STIG checklists, and generating human-readable output files for compliance assessment, thereby automating up to 95% of STIG checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual data entry and review procedures are used for cybersecurity compliance analysis, then human validators can review and verify compliance, but the process requires substantial manual effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The compliance analysis system performs self-service by automatically executing compliance checks, generating reports, and identifying violations without requiring manual data entry or review. The system autonomously interacts with the target system, collects compliance data, and produces analysis results, eliminating the need for human validators to manually review each compliance item.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (human validators physically reviewing compliance items) with automated computational processes. The system uses software agents to execute compliance checks, parse system configurations, and generate reports, substituting human manual labor with automated mechanical-like operations that are faster and more consistent.
2Extent of automation
If existing cybersecurity analysis tools are used, then some automation is provided, but the results are not human readable and require manual importing into checklist software
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer that translates automated compliance check results into human-readable formats. The system includes a report generation module that converts raw compliance data into formatted reports with clear findings, recommendations, and evidence, serving as a mediator between the automated analysis engine and human validators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the output parameter format from machine-oriented (XCCDF files requiring manual import) to human-oriented (readable reports with structured findings). The compliance analysis tool generates outputs in multiple formats including text reports, HTML pages, and integrated checklist views that are immediately usable without additional manual processing.
3Productivity
If the SCC tool is used to generate compliance results, then automation of compliance checking is achieved, but the results contain false positives and require manual verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where compliance check results are automatically verified and validated. The system includes verification modules that cross-check findings against multiple sources, validate evidence authenticity, and flag potential false positives for review. This feedback loop improves result accuracy while maintaining automated processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs more comprehensive compliance checks than minimum requirements, including additional verification steps and cross-validation processes. By executing excessive automated checks and validations, the system reduces false positives and improves result accuracy, with only minimal manual intervention required for final confirmation.
4Measurement precision
If validators manually complete STIG checklists by running commands and copying data, then comprehensive compliance assessment is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple manual processes into a single automated workflow. The system combines compliance data collection, analysis, report generation, and checklist population into one integrated process. By merging these previously separate manual tasks into an automated system, comprehensive compliance assessment is achieved with dramatically improved efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automated actions to prepare compliance data before human review. Compliance checks are pre-executed, data is pre-collected and organized, and preliminary findings are generated before validators need to review results. This preliminary automation eliminates the need for validators to manually run commands and copy data, significantly improving assessment efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-targeting method of automated cybersecurity analysis on an operating system on a target computer. An analysis software executable defined by a core engine executable is provided to the target computer and run on the operating system shell. The analysis software executable identifies the specific operating system that is running on the target computer and then causes one or a plurality of bash scripts which correspond to the identified operating system and which have been parsed from security setting entries from a standardized guide for desired security settings. The bash scripts then automatically assess the compliance of various aspects of the target computer system with the security setting entries, generating an output that is compatible with existing viewers for entries of standardized guides.