Dynamic Certificate Generation for Remote Endpoint Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional VPN technologies face challenges in securing remote endpoints due to reliance on static certificates, which are difficult to change frequently, leading to increased security risks and scalability issues with certificate validation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-zoned security system that uses a triage zone with a first identity manager to generate ephemeral tokens and dynamic certificates for limited-time access, eliminating the need for static certificate revocation lists and enabling efficient validation through hashed thumbprint encryption, thereby enhancing endpoint authentication and reducing computational strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static certificates are used for VPN authentication, then authentication reliability is improved, but certificate management complexity and security risks increase due to difficulty in frequent updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static certificates into dynamic certificates that are automatically generated, rotated, and updated by the identity manager. Certificates have defined lifecycles with automatic renewal, eliminating manual management complexity while maintaining authentication reliability through continuous valid certificate provision.
Solution Approach 2:
The identity manager implements self-service certificate management by automatically generating, distributing, rotating, and revoking certificates without human intervention. The system autonomously handles certificate lifecycle events including expiration, renewal, and security incidents, reducing management burden while maintaining security.
2Ease of operation
If static certificates with long validity periods are used, then operational ease is improved, but security risks worsen due to inability to quickly respond to security incidents
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic certificate rotation with automatically generated short-lived certificates that expire after defined intervals. This periodic renewal mechanism ensures certificates remain valid for operational ease while limiting exposure window for security incidents, as compromised certificates automatically expire and are replaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The identity manager dynamically changes certificate parameters including validity period, subject names, and cryptographic keys based on security requirements and operational context. This allows flexible adjustment of security parameters without manual intervention, balancing operational convenience with security risk mitigation.
3Reliability
If frequent certificate updates are implemented, then security is improved, but computational strain and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The identity manager serves as an intermediary that centralizes certificate management operations including generation, rotation, and revocation. By consolidating these computationally intensive tasks in a single authority, the system reduces distributed computational strain while maintaining frequent certificate updates for enhanced security through centralized control and optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for network security are provided. Various embodiments issue single use certificates for validating remote endpoints access to the private network. Some embodiments use a triage zone (or triage gateway) to which remote device can calls into using a static issued certificate. However, instead of granting complete access to the virtual private network, the use of this static certificate only grants access to the triage zone where further validation of the endpoint without any access to sensitive content on the private network. The endpoint can be connected to an ID manager within the triage zone. The endpoint can then send the username and password to the ID manager that can create a single use certificate (e.g., valid for a limited period of time). While valid, the single use certificate can be used by the remote device to gain access to the production zone using a VPN tunnel.