Endpoint Configuration Security via Signed Installer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endpoint configuration methods lack security mechanisms for authenticating and ensuring the integrity of configuration information, making them vulnerable to malicious tampering and attacks.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a policy orchestrator that provides authentication and integrity to the configuration of endpoints by using a secured installer, which includes a signed configuration and a certificate, ensuring that the configuration is valid and not tampered with.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional endpoint configuration methods are used, then configuration deployment is simple and quick, but the configuration is vulnerable to malicious tampering and lacks integrity verification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration integrityVSAvoidconfiguration system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration is signed with a digital signature before deployment to the endpoint. This preliminary action of signing ensures that the configuration integrity is established in advance, allowing the endpoint to verify authenticity without adding complex verification systems during deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A digital signature acts as an intermediary mechanism between the configuration source and the endpoint. The signature provides trust verification without requiring direct complex authentication protocols, simplifying the overall system while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If configuration authentication mechanisms are added, then security against malicious tampering is improved, but the configuration process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemalicious tampering resistanceVSAvoidconfiguration deployment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The endpoint automatically verifies the digital signature of the received configuration without requiring manual intervention or complex authentication procedures. This self-service verification maintains ease of operation while providing strong protection against malicious tampering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual or complex mechanical authentication procedures are replaced with automated digital signature verification. This substitution maintains security against tampering while significantly simplifying the operational process through automated cryptographic verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250168019A1Methods and apparatus for secure configuration of a compute device

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 MUSARUBRA US LLC

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to securely configure an endpoint. Example apparatus disclosed herein include memory, machine readable instructions, and processor circuitry to at least one of instantiate or execute the machine readable instructions to access a certificate at an ePolicy orchestrator, the certificate including private key information, access a configuration, the configuration including policy information and installation instructions, sign the configuration using the private key information to securely sign the configuration, the signed configuration including a secured signature, create a secured installer using the certificate and the signed configuration, the secured installer including an agent, and provide the secured installer to an endpoint for installation of the agent and execution of the endpoint.