Dynamic Context-Based Data Access Control System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data access management systems rely on static access control lists that do not adapt to changes in the data access environment, leading to potential security vulnerabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically manages data access by capturing current context signals during each access request, comparing them to predetermined reference data based on authorization policies, and making access decisions based on dynamic data access policies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If static access control lists are used to manage data access, then the system is simple to implement and easy to operate, but the security deteriorates over time as the access environment changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic access control by evaluating context signals (location, time, device state, user behavior) at the moment of each data access request, replacing static ACLs with a dynamic decision-making system that adapts to changing environments while maintaining ease of use through automated context evaluation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If dynamic context-based access control is implemented, then the security improves by adapting to current environment, but the device complexity increases due to context capture and comparison mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a context evaluation module as an intermediary component that captures context signals, compares them against reference data, and feeds results to the access decision engine, thereby managing the complexity of dynamic security through a structured intermediate layer rather than embedding all logic directly in the access control system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If real-time context comparison is performed for each data access request, then the data protection improves, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata protectionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing reference data for context signals and pre-defining access policies during system setup, so that during actual data access requests, the system only needs to compare current context against pre-existing references rather than performing complex analyses in real-time, thus reducing processing time while maintaining strong data protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3732598B1Method, first device, second device and system for managing access to data
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 THALES DIS FRANCE SA
  • EP3732598B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (20) for managing data access. The method comprises: - receiving (22) at least one request for accessing data; - capturing (26) data relating to at least one current context signal during each data access request; - comparing (210), as a current authorization step, the data relating to at least one captured current context signal to predetermined reference data relating to at least one corresponding context signal according to at least one corresponding predetermined authorization policy; - determining (212) and (214), based upon the current authorization result and at least one predetermined dynamic data access policy, whether the data access is or is not authorized, as a data access decision; and - issuing the data access decision (216). The invention also relates to corresponding first device (14), second device (16) and system (10).