Group Authentication Server Policy-Based Approval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current authentication systems are inadequate for group-based approvals in network-connected environments, as they often require individual-focused solutions that are not scalable or secure, especially when multiple users need to authenticate remotely or access shared resources, and existing methods lack flexibility in defining successful authentication policies.
Innovation Solution
A network-connected authentication server system that communicates with user devices within a group to manage authentication requests and responses based on configurable policies, allowing for group authentication across multiple devices and third-party applications, with features like dynamic identifiers and enhanced security measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current individual-focused authentication solutions are used for group approvals, then each user can be authenticated securely, but the system becomes complex and difficult to scale when multiple users need to authenticate remotely
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the authentication process into distinct components: individual user authentication credentials, group membership identification, and policy-based approval logic. This allows secure individual authentication to be combined with group-based decision-making without creating a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system is designed to handle both individual authentication and group-based approval workflows using a unified framework. The same infrastructure supports multiple authentication scenarios (single user, group approval, remote access) reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If traditional authentication methods requiring physical presence or sequential approval chains are used, then security can be maintained, but the approval process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes approval policies, group memberships, and authentication rules before actual approval scenarios occur. When an approval is needed, the pre-configured policies are automatically applied, eliminating the need for sequential manual verification and reducing approval time while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where approval status, authentication results, and policy compliance information are automatically communicated to all relevant parties. This eliminates delays associated with manual status tracking and enables parallel processing of multiple approval requests.
3Ease of operation
If shared passwords or account details are used for group access, then ease of access is improved, but security is compromised especially with multi-factor authentication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary authentication service that manages group credentials and policies. Instead of users sharing passwords directly, the intermediary service verifies group membership and authorization, maintaining both security (through centralized credential management) and convenience (through automated verification).
4Adaptability or versatility
If authentication policies are customized for different groups and scenarios, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication policy system is designed to be dynamic and configurable without requiring complex reconfiguration. Policies can be adjusted for different groups and scenarios through parameter-based configurations rather than structural changes, allowing high adaptability with manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The field of the invention relates to network connected authentication systems, and more particularly to systems and methods that enable authentication of one or more users of a group using network connected devices. In an embodiment, the system includes a network connected authentication server coupled to a network for access by a plurality of user devices in a group to authenticate a user of one or more third party applications. When a user of the group visits a third party application and initiates a group authentication, the network connected authentication server retrieves authentication rules and sends authentication requests to the user devices of the group based on the authentication rules. When the network connected authentication server receives authentication responses from the user devices, the network connected authentication server sends the responses to the third party application, which determines whether approval should be granted based on the responses and on the policies of the third party application.