Gateway Authentication Sharing for Secure Multi-Device IoT Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and cost of managing Internet-of-things devices due to their proliferation have led to a desire for simplified network operations and device authentication management.
Innovation Solution
A system where a user device connects to a gateway, authenticates through an authentication sharing service, and receives a token defining access permissions, which are monitored and potentially delegated to other devices, ensuring secure and location-proximal communication with local devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional authentication methods are used for each Internet-of-things device, then device security is maintained, but system complexity and operational cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an authentication sharing service as an intermediary between user devices and multiple Internet-of-things devices. This service handles authentication requests centrally, generating tokens that grant access to authorized devices without requiring complex individual authentication mechanisms at each device endpoint, thus maintaining security while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication sharing service provides universal authentication capabilities across multiple Internet-of-things devices through a single authentication event. A single token generated by the service can grant access to multiple devices, eliminating the need for separate authentication processes for each device and thereby reducing operational complexity and cost
2Reliability
If comprehensive authentication monitoring and control mechanisms are implemented, then access security is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication sharing service implements self-service monitoring by automatically tracking token usage, validating access requests, and enforcing authentication contours without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously manages authentication states, monitors compliance with granted access parameters, and handles security enforcement, thereby maintaining high security while preserving operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the authentication sharing service continuously monitors device access patterns and token validity. This automated feedback loop enables real-time security monitoring and dynamic access control adjustments without adding operational complexity for users, as the service autonomously processes monitoring and control decisions
Data Source
AI summary
Device authentication sharing can include detecting, at a gateway of a local network, authentication of a user device for communication with a first local device that is in communication with the gateway via the local network. The gateway can send, to a second local device operating on the local network, an authentication notice that indicates that the user device has authenticated for communication with the first local device. The gateway can receive from the second local device, a share request requesting sharing of the authentication of the user device with the second local device. The gateway can obtain a token that defines a permission associated with the authentication, a time limit associated with the authentication, and a location limit associated with the authentication. Delivery of the token to the gateway can be triggered, whereby the second local device communicates with the user device via a connection supported by the gateway.