File System Control Point Determination via User Access Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network file systems face challenges in efficiently managing access control policies across various folders, as existing methods lack a systematic approach to determine optimal control points based on user activity data, leading to potential data security breaches and inefficient administration.
Innovation Solution
A control point module is introduced that analyzes user activity data to identify differences in user access patterns across folders, using a Jaccard index to determine a recommended control point where an access control policy can be applied to minimize unauthorized access and optimize data security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access control policies are manually managed across all folders, then administrators can maintain security, but the complexity and time required for administration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines recommended control points by analyzing user access patterns and folder metadata without requiring manual administrator intervention. The automated control point determination module processes user activity data, calculates control point scores based on multiple factors (user overlap, folder depth, access frequency), and generates recommendations automatically, reducing administrative burden while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors user access patterns and feedback on recommended control points to refine future recommendations. Administrator feedback on whether recommended control points were accepted or modified is used to improve the accuracy of future control point determinations, creating a self-improving system that reduces complexity over time
2Reliability
If access control policies are applied to all folders, then data security is maximized, but the time and resources required for policy management increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying uniform access control policies across all folders, the system identifies specific folders that require control points based on their unique characteristics. Each folder is evaluated individually using multiple factors (user access patterns, folder depth, access frequency, sensitivity), and control points are recommended only where necessary, optimizing security while minimizing administrative time
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the file system into distinct control points rather than treating it as a single unit. By dividing the file system hierarchy and analyzing each folder independently, the system identifies only those specific folders that need access control policies, reducing the overall time and resources required for policy management
3Ease of operation
If control points are determined without systematic analysis, then administration is simpler, but data security may be compromised due to inadequate policy placement
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual administrator judgment with an automated computational system that objectively analyzes user access patterns and folder characteristics. The control point determination module uses algorithmic analysis of multiple factors (user overlap calculations, folder depth metrics, access frequency data) to identify optimal control points, ensuring security is not compromised while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary control point determination module between raw user activity data and access control policy application. This intermediary automatically processes and analyzes user patterns, transforming raw data into actionable control point recommendations, thereby maintaining security without requiring administrators to perform complex manual analysis
4Device complexity
If user access patterns are not analyzed, then the system operates more simply, but optimal control points cannot be identified, leading to potential security breaches
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of user access patterns, folder metadata, and user relationships before determining control points. By pre-processing user activity data, calculating user overlap metrics, and analyzing access patterns in advance, the system identifies potential security risks and optimal control point locations, ensuring security is maintained while managing complexity through structured preprocessing
Data Source
AI summary
A control point module may receive information associated with a plurality of users accessing a plurality of files. Each of the files may be stored in a folder of the plurality of folders. Users who have accessed one or more files stored in a folder may be assigned to each corresponding folder. Users who have been assigned to each folder of a plurality of pairs of the folders may be compared to identify one or more differences of assigned users between each folder of each pair of the folders. Furthermore, a recommended control point may be determined based on the identified one or more differences of the assigned users.