Distributed Keystore with Identity-Based Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-tier enterprise computing systems like J2EE, the centralized keystore management leads to inefficient key and certificate retrieval due to competition among applications and users, and lacks tailored views based on identity, resulting in security and access control challenges.
Innovation Solution
A distributed keystore system that provides unique views of certificates and keys to application components and users by implementing multiple levels of security restrictions, caching keystore data across server nodes, and using a messaging service for synchronization and access control, ensuring efficient and secure access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a centralized keystore is used in multi-tier enterprise systems, then key and certificate management is simplified, but access efficiency deteriorates due to competition among applications and users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized keystore into multiple distributed keystore instances across different server nodes. Each node maintains its own keystore, eliminating the single-point bottleneck and allowing parallel access without competition. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing the management function while improving access efficiency through concurrent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a naming service as an intermediary that maps application requests to appropriate distributed keystore nodes. This mediator enables simplified access for applications while routing requests efficiently to the correct node, maintaining ease of management without sacrificing retrieval efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If a centralized keystore provides unified access to all applications, then access control is simplified, but security deteriorates due to inability to provide tailored views based on identity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements identity-specific configuration data that defines unique views of the keystore for each application or user. This allows different security restrictions and access permissions to be applied locally to different identities, providing tailored security views while maintaining a unified distributed architecture. Each identity sees only the keys and certificates relevant to them with appropriate access controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines which keystore nodes an application can access based on its identity and configuration. The naming service dynamically resolves keystore locations based on application-specific rules, enabling flexible security policies that adapt to different identities while maintaining operational simplicity through automated resolution.
3Productivity
If keystore data is distributed across server nodes, then access efficiency improves by reducing competition, but system complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the keystore data and its synchronization management into independent node-specific configurations. Each server node maintains its own keystore instance with locally managed security policies, eliminating the need for complex centralized synchronization mechanisms. This segmentation allows parallel access while keeping synchronization complexity manageable at each node independently.
4Reliability
If multiple security restriction levels are implemented for tailored views, then security improves through restricted access, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated identity-based resolution where the naming service automatically determines which keystore nodes and configurations apply to each application based on its identity. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual security configuration complexity for developers while maintaining strong security restrictions, as the system automatically applies the appropriate security policies without user intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A keystore is described which provides unique views of certificates and keys to particular application components and/or users. Upon receiving a request from a user and/or an application component to view keystore data, the keystore system implements a first set of security restrictions associated with the request and provides a limited view of the keystore data to the requesting user and/or application component based on the results of the first set of security restrictions. Then, upon detecting an attempt by the user and/or application component to access specified portions of the keystore data provided in the view, the keystore system implements a second set of security restrictions associated with the attempt to access the specified portions of the keystore data, and provides access to the keystore data to the user and/or application component based on the results of the second set of security restrictions.