Layered Logout Strategy for Secure Appliance Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional web application logout strategies, such as setting a logout timer, are inadequate in secure environments like appliance management systems, as they result in forced logoffs that delete configured data, requiring users to re-enter settings, which is time-consuming and undesirable, especially for systems with many self-sufficient objects.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a secure, layered logout strategy with varying security levels and associated permissions that are enforced based on events, allowing different permissions for different managed objects while maintaining the user session until a final security level is reached, at which point the session is terminated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a generic logout timer is implemented, then security is improved by terminating idle sessions, but user productivity deteriorates due to forced logoffs that delete configured data
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the logout process into multiple security levels (first security level, second security level, etc.), where each level applies different permissions to different managed objects. This allows the system to maintain security by progressively restricting access while preserving user session and configured data until the final security level is reached.
Solution Approach 2:
Different permissions are applied locally to different managed objects based on their security classification. Objects are assigned to specific security levels, and when a security level is reached, only objects at that level and below are affected by permission changes, while other objects remain accessible. This localized approach maintains productivity by preserving access to non-sensitive objects.
2Reliability
If a forced logout is implemented after idle timeout, then security is improved by preventing unauthorized access, but user frustration increases due to data loss and reconfiguration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by issuing warnings to users before terminating access to managed objects. When a security level is reached, the system warns the user and provides an opportunity to save or continue configuration before permissions are restricted. This preliminary warning mechanism reduces user frustration by giving advance notice and preventing unexpected data loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts permissions based on security levels and user actions. Instead of a static forced logout, the system transitions through multiple security levels, dynamically modifying access rights to different managed objects based on the current security classification and user response to warnings. This dynamic approach maintains ease of operation by adapting to user needs while preserving security.
Data Source
AI summary
A secure, layered logout of a user session is implemented in a management tool. A logout strategy is provided to include a set of security levels of varying sensitivity, with each security level having a set of permissions that are enforced upon occurrence of an event. A succeeding security level in the set of security levels is reached upon occurrence of an event associated with that level, in which case the permissions associated with the level are then enforced against at least one object while the user session continues. As each next security level is reached, the set of permissions are then enforced, once again while the user session continues. The layered logout may enforce different permissions with respect to different objects. If the user takes no action, eventually a final security level will occur, at which point the user session is finally terminated.