Delegate Identifier for Secure Access Delegation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Organizations face challenges in securely delegating access to digital resources without compromising security or flexibility, often resorting to insecure practices like sharing user credentials due to the lack of authorized and well-defined methods.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an authentication module, access control module, and delegation services module that allows users to securely delegate access by generating a delegate identifier with associated permissions, using an attribute-based access control scheme and electronic communication methods, ensuring controlled and monitored access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users share credentials to delegate access, then access delegation is achieved, but security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user account into multiple components: the base account identity and separate delegated access credentials. Each delegation creates a distinct delegate identifier with specific permissions, allowing the system to grant access without exposing the main credentials. This segmentation enables secure delegation by separating authentication (base account) from authorization (delegate credentials).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces delegate identifiers as intermediary credentials that mediate between the user account and the resource. These delegate identifiers act as secure intermediaries that can be shared without exposing the actual user credentials. The system uses these intermediaries to verify access requests while maintaining the security of the base account credentials.
2Reliability
If access is restricted to maintain security, then security is improved, but flexibility and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control through time-bound and use-bound permissions. Delegate identifiers can be configured with expiration times, specific resource scopes, and action limitations. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain strict security controls while adapting to different delegation scenarios, enabling flexible authorization without compromising the underlying security restrictions.
3Reliability
If access is restricted to maintain security, then security is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary authentication and authorization setup through the delegation process. By pre-configuring delegate identifiers with specific permissions and validating them before resource access, the system eliminates the need for manual security checks during resource operations. This preliminary action streamlines subsequent access operations, improving productivity while maintaining security through automated enforcement of pre-defined permissions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing secure access to delegated resources are disclosed. In accordance with embodiments, a method may include receiving a delegation request, where the delegation request is associated with a user account; determining a list of delegable resources for which the user account has permission to delegate access; presenting the list of delegable resources via a user interface; receiving from the user interface, a user selection of a delegable resource from the list; generating a delegate identifier; associating an access permission to the delegate identifier, where the access permission provides access to the delegable resource; receiving the delegate identifier via the user interface; authenticating the delegate identifier; and providing access to the delegable resource based on the access permission.