Impersonation Token Cross-System User Operation Automation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems require users to manually log into multiple systems for performing operations, especially when these systems do not share a common Identity Provider, leading to cumbersome and inefficient user operation management.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first system logs into a second system using impersonation, obtaining an impersonated user access token to perform operations on behalf of the user, allowing seamless operation without the need for the user to log into each system individually, utilizing an impersonation request and validating tokens for access validation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a user manually logs into multiple systems to perform operations, then the user can access and operate on each system, but the operational efficiency and user experience deteriorate due to cumbersome repeated login processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an impersonation token as an intermediary mechanism that allows the first system to represent the user when accessing the second system. Instead of requiring the user to manually log into each system, the first system obtains an impersonation token that enables it to perform operations on behalf of the user on the second system, thereby eliminating repeated manual logins and improving operational efficiency
2Ease of operation
If systems share a common Identity Provider for authentication, then the user can log in once and access multiple systems, but the system architecture complexity increases due to reliance on common identity infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication process into two independent parts: the first system maintains its own identity provider for user authentication, while the second system accepts impersonation tokens from the first system. This segmentation eliminates the need for a common identity provider across both systems, reducing architectural complexity while still enabling seamless cross-system access
3Extent of automation
If a first system acts as an agent to perform user operations on a second system, then automated operations can be performed, but the trust establishment between systems becomes complex requiring manual authorization setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the first system proactively obtain an impersonation token from the second system before performing any operations. This token is obtained through an impersonation request that includes the user's access token from the first system. Once obtained, the impersonation token can be reused for multiple operations, eliminating the need for repeated manual authorization setup and enabling automated operations
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for performing user operations by a first system on a second system using user impersonation. One method comprises receiving, by a first system, a log in of a user to the first system and an operation to be performed by a second system; sending an impersonation request, by the first system to the second system, to obtain an impersonated user access token of the given user for the second system; receiving, by the first system from the second system, in response to the impersonation request, the impersonated user access token of the given user; and providing, by the first system to the second system, the operation with the impersonated user access token of the given user, wherein the second system performs the operation based at least in part on a result of an access validation of the impersonated user access token of the given user.