Human Authorization Challenge Mechanism for Computing Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
The ease with which malicious executable content can be downloaded and executed on computing devices without user awareness poses a significant risk, as it can modify security-critical parameters, leaving devices vulnerable to external exploitation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a challenge mechanism that distinguishes between human and automated responses to prevent or mitigate unauthorized modifications to protected parameters and processes, allowing changes only if confirmed by a human user, and reversing or preventing such changes if detected as automated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If executable content is allowed to be downloaded and executed freely, then ease of operation is improved, but security reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A challenge-response mechanism acts as an intermediary between executable content and the computing device. Before allowing execution, the system presents a challenge that must be correctly answered by a human user. This intermediary layer prevents malicious automated content from executing while still allowing legitimate content to run after human verification.
2Productivity
If automated processes are permitted to modify parameters, then productivity is improved, but security reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service through automated monitoring that detects when parameters are being modified. When modification is detected, the system automatically presents a challenge to verify human involvement. This self-monitoring and self-verifying mechanism maintains security without requiring constant human oversight, thus preserving productivity while ensuring security.
3Reliability
If human verification is required for all parameter changes, then security reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Human verification is applied locally and selectively rather than universally. The challenge-response mechanism is triggered only at specific points where parameter modifications are detected, rather than requiring verification for all operations. This localized application of security measures maintains reliability while minimizing the overall complexity burden on the system.
Data Source
AI summary
In response to the occurrence of a restricted event in a computing device, a user of the computing device is presenting with a challenge including information designed to assist in determining whether the challenge is answered by a human. If it is determined that the challenge was not answered by a human, the restricted event is counteracted.