Endpoint File System Extension for Key Throttling
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved endpoint security to prevent data leakage and malicious activity in enterprise networks, as existing methods are inadequate in detecting and mitigating potentially malicious automated file access patterns.
Innovation Solution
A file system extension that encrypts files on an endpoint and selectively decrypts them based on access patterns, monitoring for indications of compromise, and limiting access rates to prevent unauthorized access, while presenting a confirmation prompt to ensure human-initiated activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If files are encrypted on an endpoint to prevent unauthorized access, then data security is improved, but legitimate file access operations become more complex and slower due to decryption requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The file system is segmented into encrypted and unencrypted portions, allowing the system to apply encryption selectively only to sensitive files while leaving other files accessible. This segmentation enables data security improvements without requiring all file operations to undergo decryption, thus reducing overall system complexity and operational overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
A file system extension acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the encrypted files. This extension automatically handles decryption requests in the background, transparently managing the complexity of encrypted file access without requiring user awareness or intervention. The intermediary absorbs the operational complexity while maintaining simple user interactions.
2Measurement precision
If automated monitoring of file access patterns is implemented to detect malicious activity, then security detection capability is improved, but system performance deteriorates due to continuous monitoring overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system implements partial monitoring by focusing only on specific file access patterns that are indicative of malicious activity, rather than monitoring all file operations continuously. This selective approach maintains high detection precision for suspicious behaviors while reducing the overall monitoring overhead and preserving system performance for normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic sampling of file access patterns rather than continuous monitoring. By checking access patterns at intervals and analyzing them for malicious indicators, the system achieves adequate detection capability while significantly reducing the continuous computational overhead associated with constant monitoring of all file operations.
3Ease of operation
If decryption is provided on-demand to requesting processes, then file accessibility is improved, but unauthorized access risk increases due to potential key compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of process authorization before providing decryption access to files. By checking whether requesting processes have legitimate credentials and authorized access rights before decrypting files, the system maintains ease of operation for legitimate users while preventing unauthorized access. This preliminary authorization check blocks malicious processes from obtaining decrypted files even if they attempt to request them.
Solution Approach 2:
The file system extension implements feedback mechanisms that monitor decryption requests and provide real-time responses based on authorization status. When a process requests decryption, the system immediately verifies authorization and either grants or denies access accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that only authorized processes receive decrypted files, maintaining both accessibility for legitimate users and security against unauthorized access attempts.
Data Source
AI summary
A file system extension for an endpoint controls access to files by selectively decrypting files under certain conditions. Where a pattern of access to the files suggests malicious and/or automated file access activity, the file system extension may limit the rate of file access by regulating the rate at which decryption is provided to requesting processes.