Gradual Credential Expiration Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rigid password expiration policies in organizations often lead to a bad user experience and increased administrative costs due to the all-or-nothing approach, where users either change their passwords before expiration or lose access entirely, prompting unnecessary password reset requests.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a gradual credential expiration system that allows users to retain access rights with progressive restrictions over a defined grace period, enabling them to change their credentials without complete loss of access, thereby improving user experience and reducing administrative burdens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid password expiration policy is implemented, then security is improved, but user experience deteriorates and administrative costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the credential expiration process into multiple stages: a grace period before expiration where warnings are issued, and an expiration period where access is gradually restricted. This segmentation allows users to transition smoothly from full access to restricted access, improving user experience while maintaining security through progressive enforcement rather than abrupt termination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic access control that adapts based on the current time relative to credential expiration. The access rights change over time - from full access before expiration to progressively restricted access during the grace period, and finally to limited access after expiration. This dynamic approach allows the system to respond to user needs at different stages of the expiration cycle.
2Device complexity
If an all-or-nothing password expiration approach is used, then policy enforcement is simplified, but administrative costs increase due to unnecessary password reset requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent issues credential expiration warnings before the actual expiration date, giving users advance notice and time to update their credentials. This preliminary action prevents sudden access loss and reduces the need for emergency password reset requests, thereby lowering administrative costs while maintaining clear policy enforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users through expiration warnings and progressive access restrictions, informing users of their credential status and the consequences of non-renewal. This feedback mechanism encourages users to update their credentials proactively, reducing unnecessary helpdesk requests and administrative overhead.
3Reliability
If credential access is completely lost upon expiration, then security is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely cutting off access upon expiration, the patent applies partial action by maintaining limited access rights during the grace period. Users retain some access capabilities while experiencing progressive restrictions, which is sufficient for their needs without completely eliminating access. This partial approach balances security requirements with user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides a grace period buffer between credential expiration and complete access loss. This cushioning period allows users to transition to new credentials without immediate disruption to their access, softening the impact of expiration while still enforcing security policies through progressive restrictions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided to enable access control based on credential properties. Besides authenticating a credential, an authentication service can provide additional credential-related information with respect to a credential such as last updated time. An entity receiving such additional credential-related information can implement access control policies based on the credential-related information. For instance, a user's access rights may be gradually restricted after an initial expiration time and towards a final expiration time. In an example, such access control may be implemented by a client application or client website of the authentication service. Alternatively or additionally, such access control may be implemented by an authorization service used by the client application or client website.