Domain Management Intermediary Service Credential Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The traditional approach to domain name management, where registrars store and manage registry-provided credentials for multiple domain names, is vulnerable to security risks such as credential leakage, software compromise, and operational outages, which can lead to misconfiguration and reputational damage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a domain management intermediary service (DMIS) that isolates registry-provided credentials, allowing registrants to store them securely and enabling the DMIS to interact with registries on their behalf, using separate agent fleets for read-write and read-only operations with customizable security mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If registrars store and manage registry-provided credentials for multiple domain names, then domain name management operations can be performed, but security risks such as credential leakage and software compromise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedomain name management operationVSAvoidcredential leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the credential storage and management functions by introducing a dedicated credential management system that stores registry-provided credentials separately from the domain management system. This segmentation ensures that even if the domain management system is compromised, the credentials remain protected in an isolated secure environment, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary credential management system that acts as a mediator between the registry and domain management operations. This intermediary securely stores credentials and provides them only when needed for authenticated operations, eliminating the need for domain management systems to store credentials directly, thereby reducing security risks while maintaining operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If registrars store registry-provided credentials, then domain administration operations can be initiated, but the risk of software compromise and operational outages increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedomain administration operation initiationVSAvoidoperational availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The credential management system serves as a reliable intermediary that maintains credential availability independently of domain management system status. By separating credential storage from operational systems, the patent ensures that credentials remain accessible and intact even during software compromises or operational outages, thus maintaining reliability while enabling continuous domain administration operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements prior cushioning by pre-storing credentials in a secure, isolated environment before any potential compromise or outage occurs. This advance preparation ensures that credentials are protected and readily available when needed, cushioning the system against future security incidents or operational failures that might otherwise prevent domain administration operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional registrar systems manage domain names, then basic domain management functions are available, but security vulnerabilities expose organizations to reputational damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedomain management functionVSAvoidreputational damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the domain management architecture into distinct functional components: a secure credential management system for storing registry credentials and a domain management system for performing administrative operations. This segmentation isolates security-critical functions from operational functions, allowing versatile domain management while protecting against reputational damage through enhanced security posture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The credential management system acts as a secure intermediary that enables domain management operations without exposing credentials to potential attackers. By mediating between the registry and domain management functions, it provides the adaptability needed for various domain operations while maintaining security levels that protect organizations from reputational damage associated with credential breaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11552948B1Domain management intermediary service

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

An agent of a domain management intermediary service obtains a security key using a client credential indicated in a request for a read-write domain management operation. A registry credential is obtained using the security key, and the read-write domain administration operation is initiated using the registry credential. A separate read-only agent obtains the completion status of the read-write domain administration operation and provides the status to the client.