Identity Provider Token Management for Compliant Device Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication methods for accessing computing resources, particularly on small form factor devices like smartphones and smartwatches, result in poor user experience due to frequent credential prompts, and are vulnerable to security lapses when not managed according to enterprise security policies, allowing attackers to impersonate users for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
An identity provider integrates with unified endpoint management (UEM) via API to manage clients, issuing short-lived access tokens and refresh tokens, ensuring compliance with enterprise policies by verifying device compliance status through digital signatures and cryptographic nonces, thereby reducing security risks and enhancing user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication is performed each time the user attempts to access the resource, then security is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates due to frequent credential prompts
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication and issues access tokens before the user needs to access resources repeatedly. The access token is valid for a specified duration, allowing the user to access resources multiple times without re-entering credentials. This preliminary authentication action resolves the contradiction by maintaining security through initial verification while improving convenience through extended access periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The access token enables continuous access to resources throughout its validity period without requiring repeated authentication. The token remains valid and can be used multiple times for accessing different resources or re-accessing the same resource, providing continuous useful action (access) without interruption or repeated user intervention.
2Ease of operation
If access tokens with extended duration are issued to improve user convenience, then user convenience is improved, but security deteriorates due to vulnerability to credential theft and impersonation
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of token duration based on the level of trust and security requirements. Instead of using a single fixed duration, the system can issue tokens with different validity periods - shorter for less secure contexts and longer for trusted environments. This parameter adjustment allows optimization of both convenience and security by matching token duration to the specific access scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The access token acts as an intermediary between the user's authentication credentials and the resource access. Instead of directly using permanent credentials, the system introduces a time-limited access token that mediates the access relationship. This intermediary token can be revoked or expire, providing a security mechanism that balances the convenience of extended access with the ability to limit exposure in case of credential compromise.
3Ease of operation
If clients not managed according to enterprise security policies are allowed to access resources, then user convenience is improved, but security deteriorates due to risk of attacker impersonation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the identity provider continuously monitors and verifies the status of clients attempting to access resources. The feedback loop includes checking whether a client is properly managed and compliant with enterprise security policies before issuing access tokens. This feedback ensures that only compliant clients gain access, preventing attacker impersonation while maintaining availability for authorized users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary anti-action by verifying client compliance and managing device registration before access is granted. The identity provider checks whether the client device is registered and compliant with security policies in advance, preventing potentially harmful access attempts before they can occur. This preliminary verification blocks malicious actors from obtaining access tokens while allowing legitimate compliant clients to access resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Described embodiments provide systems, methods, computer readable media for accessing services via identity providers. A computing device may transmit, responsive to a request from a client to access a service, a value to the client. The client may be configured to access the service using an access token. The computing device may receive, from the client, a signature, the signature generated using the value, a device identifier, and a first encryption key. The computing device may determine, using the value and a second encryption key, the device identifier from the signature. The computing device may identify a status of the client according to the device identifier. The computing device may provide, responsive to the status, a new access token to permit access to the access and a refresh token to obtain subsequent access tokens.