Distributed Attribute-Based Access Control for Identifier-Free Telemetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access control systems struggle to manage access to sensitive data in contexts where unique resource identifiers are absent, such as in user activity telemetry, requiring a more nuanced approach to handle large quantities of data with varying sensitivity levels.
Innovation Solution
A distributed attribute-based access control system that utilizes a micro-service architecture with an authorization engine to evaluate access requests based on attributes of the principal, resource, and context, allowing for conditional access decisions through a templating engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional Discretionary Access Control (DAC) or Role Based Access Control (RBAC) is used, then access control can be implemented for resources with unique identifiers, but it cannot effectively handle large quantities of telemetry data without clear unique resource identifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the access control approach from identifier-based to attribute-based by changing the fundamental parameters used for access decisions. Instead of relying on unique resource identifiers, the system evaluates multiple attributes (user roles, resource sensitivity, context information) to dynamically determine access permissions, enabling effective control over telemetry data without clear identifiers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to access control by introducing contextual attributes and metadata about the principal requesting access. This multi-dimensional attribute evaluation framework extends traditional single-dimension (identifier-based) access control into a comprehensive multi-attribute decision space, allowing the system to handle complex telemetry scenarios
2Reliability
If access control is applied to large quantities of telemetry data, then data security can be improved, but the complexity of defining and managing access policies increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal attribute-based access control framework that can handle diverse telemetry data types through a single unified policy evaluation mechanism. The system uses common attribute schemas and evaluation rules that work across different telemetry sources and types, reducing the need for separate complex policies for each data category while maintaining comprehensive security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining attribute schemas, validation rules, and default policy templates that can be applied to telemetry data before access requests occur. This advance preparation of access control frameworks reduces the complexity of managing ad-hoc policies for large volumes of varying telemetry data
3Reliability
If granular access control is implemented for sensitive data, then data protection is improved, but the system complexity and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access control system into distinct functional components: attribute extraction modules that gather relevant information, policy evaluation engines that assess access requests against defined rules, and decision modules that determine final permissions. This segmentation allows granular control over sensitive data while managing system complexity through modular, reusable components
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed system provides access by a principal to a resource associated with sensitive data. Micro-services in communication with an authorization engine each include a resource provider that receives a resource action request from the principal to access the resource, determines a context for the request, and transmits the context to the authorization engine in an authorization request. The authorization engine receives the authorization request, resolves the authorization request context against a plurality of pre-defined resource conditions, and responds to the resource provider with an authorization response of allow, deny, or allow-with-conditions. The context for the request includes metadata regarding attributes of the principal, and each of the resource conditions includes a logical expression operating upon the attributes.