Identity Assertion Token Processing for Service-Controlled Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems rely heavily on identity providers for authentication, lacking control over authentication processes and security policies, leading to vulnerabilities and inability to enhance security beyond provider settings.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an authorization server separate from the identity provider to manage tokens, allowing the service to apply its own security policies and validate identity assertion tokens, thereby controlling access and reducing security risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the service delegates authentication processing to an identity provider, then the authentication process is simplified and standardized, but the service loses control over authentication processes and security policies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the authentication system into two independent components: the identity provider that handles authentication credentials and the authorization server that manages security policies and token validation. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function while maintaining service control through the authorization server's ability to independently manage security policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The authorization server acts as an intermediary between the identity provider and the service. It receives identity assertion tokens from the identity provider, validates them against service-specific security policies, and makes authorization decisions. This intermediary role preserves service control over security while benefiting from standardized authentication processing.
2Device complexity
If the service relies on the identity provider for authentication, then the service avoids implementing its own authentication system, but the service becomes vulnerable to security risks if the identity provider improperly authenticates entities
Solution Approach 1:
The authorization server performs preliminary validation of identity assertion tokens before the service processes requests. It checks token signatures, verifies expiration times, and validates claims against service security policies in advance. This preliminary action creates a security layer that protects the service even if the identity provider makes authentication errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The authorization server implements feedback mechanisms by logging token validation results, tracking authorization decisions, and monitoring security events. This feedback enables continuous security assessment and allows the service to detect and respond to potential security issues while maintaining reliable authentication processing.
3Productivity
If the service accepts tokens indiscriminately from the identity provider, then the service can process authentication requests quickly, but the service opens itself to security vulnerabilities and unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The authorization server performs preliminary validation of identity assertion tokens before the service processes requests. It checks token signatures, verifies expiration times, and validates claims against service security policies in advance. This preliminary action creates a security layer that protects the service even if the identity provider makes authentication errors.
Solution Approach 2:
For validated tokens that meet service security policies, the authorization server enables rapid processing by caching validation results and using efficient token verification methods. This allows the system to maintain high authentication processing speed for legitimate requests while applying rigorous security checks only where necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are systems and methods for processing tokens in identity assertions for access control to resources. A server may receive, via an interface from a gateway, a request to permit a customer device to access a resource associated with the server. The request may include an identifier for the customer device and a first token used to authenticate the customer device at the gateway. The server may generate, responsive to validating the first token, a second token to be used to authorize the customer device at the server for access to the resource. The server may store, on a database, an association identifying the identifier, the first token, and the second token. The server may perform the server, an action to permit the customer device access to the resource associated with the server based on the association maintained on the database.