Environment Hash Validation for Network Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network security systems face challenges in identifying and mitigating unauthorized changes to hardware, software, and data configurations, which can lead to potential threats both within a system and across the network, making it difficult to maintain compliance and security.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a virtual environment system that verifies and validates configurations using cryptographic hashes before allowing access to a network, comparing hashes against authorized requirements to ensure only safe configurations are implemented and maintained, and isolating systems that fail to meet these requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional network access control is used, then systems can access the network freely, but unauthorized configurations can spread threats across the network
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of configuration hashes before allowing network access. Configuration hashes are verified against authorized hashes in advance, and only systems with valid configurations are granted network access permissions, preventing potential threats before they can spread.
Solution Approach 2:
Configuration hashes serve as an intermediary mechanism between the system and network access control. Instead of directly checking system configurations, the system uses hash representations as a mediator to verify system integrity, enabling efficient and secure access control decisions.
2Reliability
If configuration monitoring is implemented to identify unauthorized changes, then system security is improved, but the complexity of implementation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directly monitoring and analyzing actual system configurations, the system creates and validates hash representations (copies) of configurations. These hash copies serve as simplified proxies that capture essential configuration integrity information without requiring complex analysis of the full configuration data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms complex configuration data into simplified hash parameters for validation. By changing the representation from detailed configuration data to condensed hash values, the system achieves efficient security verification with reduced computational complexity and easier maintenance.
3Reliability
If configuration validation is performed before system updates, then unauthorized configurations are prevented, but the time required for updates increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical or manual configuration analysis with cryptographic hash validation. Hash computation and comparison provide rapid verification of configuration integrity, substituting time-consuming manual or mechanical inspection processes with efficient computational operations.
Data Source
AI summary
When a system tries to access a network (e.g., another system, an application, data, or the like) at least two-factor authentication may be used to validate the system. At least one authentication factor may include utilizing authentication credentials of the entity or system accessing the network. At least a second authentication factor may include using an environment hash of the system, which is a representation of the configuration (e.g., hardware, software, or the like) on the system trying to access the network. The environment hash may be compared to hash requirements (e.g., authorized environment hashes, unauthorized environment hashes, or the like) to aid in the validation. The system may only access the network when both the authentication credentials and the environment hashes meet requirements.