Graph Database Permission UI for Fine-Grained Traverse Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graph database security methods struggle with managing complex and subtle fine-grained permissions, leading to potential errors and security breaches when manually processed.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface and underlying logic system for graph databases that enables administrators to manage fine-grained access privileges, including 'traverse' permissions, allowing queries to navigate graph paths without revealing node or relationship data, thus preserving correctness and privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional permission lists are used for graph database security, then implementation is simple, but fine-grained control over reads, writes, and traversals cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments permission control into three distinct types: read permissions for node labels and relationship types, write permissions for modifying nodes and relationships, and traverse permissions for navigating graph paths. This segmentation allows fine-grained control over different aspects of graph access, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by providing targeted permission management for each operation type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to permission management by introducing traverse permissions as a separate layer beyond traditional read/write controls. This dimensional addition enables control over query navigation paths independently from data access permissions, allowing administrators to permit traversal through certain graph regions while restricting actual data reading, thus achieving fine-grained control without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fine-grained permissions are manually managed, then flexibility is achieved, but errors and security breaches increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the system automatically evaluates and enforces permission rules against incoming queries. The query processing engine checks traverse permissions, read permissions, and write permissions in sequence, providing immediate feedback on whether a query is authorized. This automated feedback loop reduces manual management errors while maintaining the flexibility of fine-grained permission settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service permission validation where the graph database automatically verifies permission compliance without external intervention. The query processing engine autonomously checks whether queries satisfy traverse permissions, read permissions, and write permissions, and either executes or rejects queries based on this self-verification. This self-service approach eliminates manual permission management errors while preserving permission flexibility.
3Productivity
If traverse permissions are added to allow query navigation, then query functionality improves, but data exposure risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating permission requirements for different parts of the graph traversal process. Traverse permissions control navigation through graph paths, while read permissions separately control access to node and relationship data. This allows the system to permit queries to traverse through graph regions (improving productivity) while maintaining strict control over which specific nodes and relationships can be read (reducing data exposure risk). Each location in the permission hierarchy has customized quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces permission rules as an intermediary layer between query traversal requests and actual data access. The query processing engine must satisfy both traverse permissions (for navigation) and read permissions (for data access) simultaneously. This intermediary permission checking mechanism enables query functionality to improve through unrestricted traversal while data exposure risk is reduced by maintaining separate, enforceable read permission barriers that prevent unauthorized data access even during valid traversals.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface to manage effective permissions on a graph database is disclosed. An input data identifying one or both of a portion of the graph database and a user or role associated with the graph database is received. For each of at least a subset of one or more nodes and one or more relationships comprising an identified portion of the graph database a set of selectable user controls is provided. A user input associated with changing the display state from the selected display state to the not selected display state, or vice versa, is received. A set of access rights data as stored in a memory is updated to associate with the identified user or role said set of one or more access rights with respect to the node or relationship in the identified portion of the graph database.