Decoy Production Network Deployment for Adversary Telemetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Protected network environments face continuous unauthorized access attempts, where adversaries gain access and are removed, preventing the collection of actionable intelligence on their behavior, making it difficult to thwart future attacks effectively.
Innovation Solution
Automated deployment of decoy production networks that replicate actual network features, allowing adversaries to perform actions in a decoy environment, which is monitored for behavioral analysis, thereby gathering intelligence on adversary tactics and methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unauthorized users are removed from the network upon detection, then network security is maintained, but the opportunity to collect intelligence on adversary behavior is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a decoy network environment as an intermediary between the protected production network and the adversary. When an unauthorized user is detected, they are redirected to the decoy environment where their actions can be observed without threatening the actual network. This mediator allows intelligence collection while maintaining security boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the production network environment as a decoy network that replicates key features and functionality. This copy allows adversaries to interact with a simulated environment that mirrors the real network structure, enabling behavioral observation without exposing the actual systems. The decoy copy preserves information value while eliminating security risks.
2Loss of information
If adversaries are allowed to remain in the network for observation, then behavioral intelligence can be collected, but network security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The decoy network serves as a safe intermediary environment where adversaries can operate freely while being monitored. This mediator isolates the adversary from the production network, allowing extended observation periods without security compromise. The intermediary absorbs the security risk while preserving intelligence gathering capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the adversary from the production network and relocates them to a separate decoy environment. This extraction removes the security threat from the critical network while maintaining the ability to observe adversary actions. The adversary is taken out of the harmful context and placed in a controlled observation setting.
3Measurement precision
If manual detection tools are used to identify unauthorized users, then detection accuracy can be maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and less productive
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated detection mechanisms that operate autonomously to identify unauthorized users and redirect them to decoy environments. The self-service automation handles the detection and response workflow without manual intervention, maintaining high detection accuracy through configured rules and algorithms while dramatically improving processing speed and throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual detection processes with automated computational systems that use algorithms and configured detection rules. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with automated electronic systems preserves the precision of detection while eliminating the time-consuming nature of manual analysis, enabling high-volume processing of security events.
4Loss of energy
If a single production network is protected, then security resources are conserved, but the ability to gather comprehensive adversary intelligence is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The decoy network environment serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a security buffer protecting the production network, a trap for capturing adversaries, an observation platform for intelligence gathering, and a controlled environment for analyzing adversary tactics. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single versatile platform, optimizing resource utilization while maximizing intelligence collection capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for systems and methods for automated deployment of decoy production networks. Example methods may include detecting, by one or more computer processors coupled to memory, an unauthorized user in a production network environment, determining a payload associated with the unauthorized user, where the payload includes at least one of a computer-executable payload or a data payload that the unauthorized user is attempting to transfer to the production network environment, and initiating a first virtual decoy production network environment. Methods may include causing the computer-executable payload to be executed in the first virtual decoy production network environment, and recording telemetry data associated with execution of the computer-executable payload in the first virtual decoy production network environment.