Home Network Policy Compliance via Autonomous Self-Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home networks used by telecommuters often lack robust security, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access, and there is a need to enforce corporate IT policies and quality of service compliance across these networks, especially when connecting to remote corporate or carrier networks.
Innovation Solution
A software or firmware solution, referred to as the background application, is deployed on home networking devices to monitor and configure home networks, ensuring security and quality of service compliance by automatically adjusting settings to conform to remote network policies, including enabling encryption and prioritizing authorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If home networks are configured for ease of use with generic settings, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The home network device automatically monitors its own security parameters and configures itself to comply with corporate policies without requiring user intervention. The device self-adjusts security settings, enabling encryption and configuring firewalls autonomously based on monitored policy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors security parameters and compares them against corporate IT policies, receiving feedback on compliance status. When non-compliance is detected, the system automatically adjusts configurations and continues monitoring to ensure ongoing adherence to security standards.
2Reliability
If corporate IT policies are strictly enforced on home networks, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The home network device autonomously handles the complexity of policy compliance by automatically monitoring security parameters, comparing them against corporate policies, and adjusting its own configuration. This eliminates the need for users to understand or manually configure complex security settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The device pre-configures security parameters and policies before connectivity issues arise. By establishing compliance frameworks in advance and automatically adjusting settings proactively, the system prevents security vulnerabilities rather than reacting to them after problems occur.
3Reliability
If automatic configuration is enabled to enforce policies, then security compliance is improved, but loss of control by service providers is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains control flexibility through continuous feedback loops where the home network device monitors its own configuration status and reports to corporate IT. This allows automatic enforcement of policies while maintaining the ability to detect and respond to compliance issues, preserving adaptive control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are described for monitoring and configuring home networks for a variety of purposes such as, for example, facilitating secure communications between the home network and a remote network, and facilitating provision of a service by a service provider such as, for example, a cellular carrier.