Graduated Security Authentication System for Tiered User Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing web applications often require inconsistent and excessive user authentication, which can deter users from accessing sensitive information due to the need for varying levels of security across different applications, leading to a cumbersome user experience and potential security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A graduated security model that identifies and configures user accounts with tiered security levels, prompting users for additional authentication information only when accessing higher-tier applications, thereby promoting their accounts to the necessary security level for access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single high security level is applied to all applications, then security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication system into multiple tiers (first-tier, second-tier, third-tier security levels), each with progressively stricter authentication requirements. Applications are assigned to specific tiers based on their security needs, allowing low-security applications to use minimal authentication while high-security applications require full authentication, thus resolving the contradiction between uniform security and user convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different security qualities to different applications based on their specific needs. Each application can be configured with its own security tier, allowing the system to provide appropriate security levels locally rather than applying a uniform high security level across all applications, thereby improving user convenience without compromising overall security
2Reliability
If multiple authentication levels are implemented, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal authentication framework that handles multiple security tiers through a single integrated system. The authentication mechanism serves multiple functions: it can authenticate users at different security levels, manage account promotions, and control application access all through one unified process, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from implementing separate authentication systems for each tier
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration by assigning security tiers to applications and user accounts in advance. This preliminary action establishes the authentication requirements before users attempt to access applications, allowing the system to automatically enforce appropriate security levels without requiring complex real-time decision-making during authentication, thus reducing operational complexity
3Ease of operation
If graduated security tiers are implemented, then user convenience is improved, but authentication information requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments authentication information requirements across different tiers. First-tier accounts require minimal information (email address), second-tier accounts require additional information (username, password), and third-tier accounts require the most information (security questions, answers). This segmentation allows users to provide information progressively only when needed, improving convenience by not requiring all information upfront while still ensuring security when necessary
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer system for authenticating user access to at least one computer application of a plurality of computer applications is provided. The computer system includes a memory device and a processor. The computer system is programmed to identify a security level from a plurality of security levels for each computer application within the plurality of computer applications. The plurality of security levels include at least a first-tier security level and a second-tier security level. The second-tier security level requires additional authentication information as compared to the first-tier security level. The computer system is also programmed to create a user account for a user within the memory device with the first-tier security level, and to determine that the user account requires the second-tier security level, and prompt the user to enter the additional authentication information. The computer system is also programmed to promote the user account to the second-tier security level.