Intrusion Prevention System Packet Analysis Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) face challenges in managing incoming packets during overload conditions, where they may either drop non-malicious packets or allow malicious ones to pass through due to processing limitations, leading to potential data loss or security risks.
Innovation Solution
A computer system and method that determines a composite score for each packet based on benefits and costs of analysis, automatically deciding whether to analyze or forward packets, with dynamic threshold adjustments based on packet rates to optimize processing and reduce overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the IPS analyzes all incoming packets for intrusions, then security detection capability is improved, but system productivity deteriorates due to overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating packet analysis based on individual packet characteristics. Instead of uniformly analyzing all packets or none, the system evaluates each packet's risk profile and applies analysis only where necessary. The benefit/cost ratio calculation assigns different weights to various packet attributes (protocol type, payload content, source/destination information) to determine which specific packets warrant detailed inspection, thereby optimizing the balance between security and throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameter of analysis depth based on packet characteristics. By calculating a benefit/cost ratio that incorporates multiple parameters (packet type, suspected maliciousness indicators, current system load), the IPS adjusts its analysis intensity for each packet. High-benefit packets receive full analysis while low-benefit packets receive minimal or no analysis, allowing the system to maintain security effectiveness while managing processing capacity.
2Productivity
If the IPS drops packets during overload, then system productivity is maintained, but loss of important data occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prevents indiscriminate packet dropping by applying local quality assessment to each packet. The benefit/cost ratio calculation identifies which packets contain important data versus which are likely malicious or low-value. During overload conditions, the system selectively processes high-benefit packets (those with important data or high security value) while allowing low-benefit packets to be dropped or queued, thereby maintaining throughput without losing critical information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to adapt packet handling decisions based on current system state and packet characteristics. The benefit/cost ratio calculation incorporates real-time information about system load, packet types, and security threats. This feedback loop allows the IPS to dynamically adjust which packets to process and which to drop, ensuring that important data is preserved even during overload conditions while maintaining overall system productivity.
3Productivity
If the IPS allows all packets to pass during overload, then productivity is maintained, but security reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains security reliability during overload by applying local quality differentiation. The benefit/cost ratio calculation identifies packets with high security value (suspected malicious traffic, critical infrastructure targets, unusual patterns) and ensures these receive analysis even when system load is high. Low-benefit packets are expedited or dropped, while high-benefit packets trigger focused security analysis, thereby maintaining protection levels for critical threats while managing overall throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms to prioritize security analysis for high-risk packets during overload conditions. The benefit/cost ratio incorporates real-time security intelligence, threat intelligence data, and system state information. When malicious activity is detected or suspected, the feedback loop increases the benefit score for related packets, ensuring they receive analysis despite system load. This dynamic feedback approach maintains security reliability by adapting analysis priorities to current threat conditions while managing processing capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
Intrusion protection. A first packet en route to a first destination is received. A first value representing a benefit for analyzing the first packet for intrusions in relation to a cost for analyzing the first packet for intrusions is automatically determined. An automatic determination is made that the first value is sufficiently high to warrant an analysis of the first packet for intrusions, and in response, the first packet is analyzed for intrusions. If the analysis of the first packet for intrusions indicates an intrusion, the first packet is discarded without forwarding the first packet to the first destination. A second packet en route to a second destination is received. A second value representing a benefit for analyzing the second packet for intrusions in relation to a cost for analyzing the second packet for intrusions is automatically determined. An automatic determination is made that the second value is not sufficiently high to warrant analysis of the second packet for intrusions, and in response, the second packet is forwarded to a next hop en route to the second destination without analyzing the second packet for intrusions.