IoT Broker Policy Manager Dynamic Incident Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT systems lack dynamic policy management capabilities during incidents, limiting the flexibility and interoperability of IoT devices in emergency or multi-organization communications networks, where static certificates and policies restrict access and control.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Broker Policy Manager (BPM) that dynamically adjusts IoT client policies using certificate-based IoT brokers, allowing IoT clients to join incident communications networks and change subscription and publication permissions in real-time through protocols like HTTP, MQTT, or XMPP, enabling dynamic IoT policy management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If static certificates and policies are used for IoT devices, then security and control are maintained, but flexibility and adaptability during incidents are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility during incidentVSAvoidsecurity control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic policy management by allowing the Broker Policy Manager to modify IoT client policies in real-time during incidents. The system transitions from static certificate-based access control to dynamic policy adjustment, where permissions can be changed based on incident requirements while maintaining security through continuous authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of policy status from static to dynamic. The Broker Policy Manager can modify subscription and publication permissions, change topic access rights, and update device roles during incidents. This allows the same IoT device to have different access levels at different times while maintaining security through authenticated policy changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If central administrator controls all communications resources, then coordination is simplified, but organizational autonomy and control are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordination simplicityVSAvoidorganizational control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The Broker Policy Manager acts as an intermediary between central coordination and organizational autonomy. It receives incident information from the Incident-Based System, processes policy changes, and applies them to individual IoT clients. This mediator enables coordinated incident response while preserving organizational control over their own resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments control by maintaining separate policy management for different organizations while enabling coordinated action during incidents. Each organization retains control of its resources through authenticated policies, but the Broker Policy Manager can coordinate access across organizations when incident requirements demand it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple disparate communications resources exist, then system capability is expanded, but interoperability and cooperation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capabilityVSAvoidinteroperability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal communication framework that supports multiple communication protocols and resource types through a single Broker Policy Manager. The system can manage diverse IoT devices and communications resources using common policy mechanisms, enabling interoperability without requiring separate coordination systems for each resource type.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4211888B1Method and apparatus for internet of things (IOT) dynamic policy management
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 MUTUALINK INC
  • EP4211888B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4211888B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4211888B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Some embodiments include a broker policy manager (BPM) comprising a transceiver and a processor, where the processor is configured to dynamically change a policy associated with an Internet of Things (IoT) client certificate based on an incident invitational model. In some embodiments the processor can determine that a first IoT client is a participant of an incident communications network corresponding to an incident, and transmit first instructions to a certificate-based IoT broker to change a first IoT policy associated with a first certificate of the first IoT client, to enable the first IoT client to publish or subscribe to a topic that corresponds to the incident. The first instructions can indicate a change to a second IoT policy associated with a second certificate of a second IoT client that enables the second IoT client to publish or subscribe to the topic that corresponds to the incident.