Elastic Authentication via Multi-Channel Token Continuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional authentication systems are insecure as they transmit authentication credentials through a single communication channel, making them vulnerable to interception and unauthorized use, and cannot distinguish between genuine and unauthorized credentials, leading to potential unauthorized activities.
Innovation Solution
A system that captures and validates a continuum of elastic authentication tokens over an extended period prior to user activity, using multiple communication channels and integrity checks to ensure token integrity and legitimacy, allowing only validated tokens to authorize user activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication credentials are transmitted through a single communication channel, then the authentication process is simple and fast, but the system becomes vulnerable to interception and unauthorized use
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication credentials are segmented into multiple tokens distributed across different communication channels. Instead of transmitting complete credentials through one channel, the system divides them into fragments that must be reassembled, preventing interception of usable authentication data through any single channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional authentication approach to a multi-dimensional framework by distributing tokens across multiple communication channels. This adds spatial and temporal dimensions to the authentication process, requiring tokens to be collected from different channels at different times before assembly.
2Reliability
If conventional authentication systems use static credentials, then the authentication process is straightforward, but the system cannot distinguish between genuine and unauthorized credentials
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces static credentials with dynamic tokens that have temporal validity and are tied to specific time periods. Each token is time-bound and can only be used within its designated time window, making unauthorized credentials easily distinguishable through temporal validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation of token assembly and temporal validity before granting authentication. By validating the continuum of tokens and their temporal sequence in advance, the system ensures that only properly assembled, time-valid credential sets are accepted, preventing unauthorized access.
3Reliability
If authentication credentials are captured at the time of user activity initiation, then the process is efficient, but the system cannot provide proactive security validation
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures authentication tokens in advance during an extended time period before the actual user activity occurs. This preliminary capture allows the system to build a continuum of tokens that can be validated before the critical authentication moment, providing proactive security without delaying the user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains a continuous stream of token captures over an extended time period, creating an unbroken continuum of authentication data. This continuous capture process ensures that tokens are always available for validation and creates a temporal chain that is difficult to replicate or intercept.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for providing elastic authentication based on a continuum of elastic authentication credentials. In particular, the invention provides a secure platform for authorization of a user activity at least partly based on validation of the continuum of elastic authentication credentials comprising cumulative tiered elastic authentication tokens captured during an extended time period prior to initiation of a user activity. The invention provides a novel method for capturing multiple elastic authentication tokens, for example, arbitrarily during an extended time period preceding a user activity, and validating the cumulative elastic authentication tokens at a time during or after initiation of the user activity. Another aspect of the invention is directed to mitigating interception of authentication credentials by employing the elastic authentication tokens captured/received using multiple communication channels over various time periods preceding the user activity.