Hub-and-Spoke Cloud Security Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cloud-based computing platforms face challenges in securely managing development updates for web platforms, particularly in ensuring information security, version control, and scalability, especially when dealing with confidential information like credit card details and user identification, without duplicating testing resources across multiple environments.

Innovation Solution

A hub-and-spoke development environment is implemented, utilizing multiple virtual networks for different stages of development, including development, quality assurance, end-to-end testing, staging, and production, with each network having distinct security levels and resource allocation based on demand, allowing for scalable and secure testing and implementation of development updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate testing environments are used for different development stages, then information security and version control are improved, but device complexity and resource allocation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation securityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the development environment into multiple isolated virtual networks (development virtual network, QAT virtual network, E2E virtual network, staging virtual network, production virtual network), each dedicated to specific development stages. This segmentation ensures that code changes are tested in isolation with appropriate security levels, preventing unauthorized access between environments while maintaining clear version control through the hub server's centralized management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hub server acts as an intermediary that connects all virtual networks in a hub-and-spoke configuration. It authenticates development updates, manages code progression through different virtual networks, and controls resource allocation. This intermediary approach simplifies complexity by providing centralized authentication and management rather than requiring direct peer-to-peer connections between all virtual networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If testing resources are duplicated across multiple environments, then reliability and security are improved, but resource allocation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversion controlVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hub server provides universal functionality by serving all virtual networks from a single centralized location. It performs authentication, code management, and progression control for all development stages, eliminating the need for separate resource duplication. The same hub server infrastructure supports multiple virtual networks with different security requirements, optimizing resource allocation while maintaining version control across all environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If centralized hub-and-spoke configuration is used, then resource allocation and scalability are improved, but network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovescalabilityVSAvoidnetwork complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hub-and-spoke network configuration provides dynamic scalability. New virtual networks can be added as spokes connected to the existing hub server without requiring reconfiguration of the entire network. The hub server dynamically manages connections and resource allocation, allowing the system to adapt to changing development requirements while maintaining a manageable network structure through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3121712B1Cloud-based multi-layer security architecture with hub and spoke development environment
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 ACCENTURE GLOBAL SERVICES LTD
  • EP3121712B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3121712B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3121712B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system may receive a development update. The system may authenticate the development update. The system may progress the development update through multiple stages of development. The multiple stages of development may include a first virtual network including a group of development servers. The multiple stages of development may include a second virtual network including a group of quality assurance and testing servers. The multiple stages of development may include a third virtual network including a group of end-to-end testing servers. The multiple stages of development may include a fourth virtual network including a group of staging servers. The multiple stages of development may include a fifth virtual network including a group of production servers. The system may connect to the first virtual network, the second virtual network, the third virtual network, the fourth virtual network, and the fifth virtual network in a hub-and-spoke configuration.