Least Privilege Access Using Risk and Permission Usage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud environments face significant security risks due to over-permissioning, which increases the attack surface and makes it easier for malicious actors to exploit compromised identities, leading to data breaches and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system that automates least privilege management by evaluating permission usage and risk, assigning only necessary and low-risk permissions through a hybrid approach combining expert assessments and machine learning, and applying just-in-time access controls to manage permissions dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If managed policies are assigned to groups of identities to simplify access management, then administrative burden is reduced, but the risk of over-permissioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments managed policies into fine-grained permission units that can be individually evaluated and assigned. Instead of assigning entire managed policies to groups, the system breaks down permissions into smallest actionable units and selectively assigns only those needed by each identity, eliminating the all-or-nothing nature of traditional managed policy assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by evaluating and assigning permissions based on specific identity characteristics, usage patterns, and risk profiles rather than applying uniform managed policies to entire groups. Each identity receives a customized permission set tailored to its specific needs and risk tolerance level.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users are granted more access permissions, then operational flexibility is improved, but the attack surface is expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic permission assignment that adapts to changing usage patterns and risk conditions. Permissions are continuously evaluated based on actual usage data, and the system dynamically adjusts the permission set to maintain operational flexibility while minimizing the attack surface by removing unused or unnecessary permissions over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of permission granularity from coarse managed policy levels to fine-grained individual permission levels. This allows precise control over the attack surface while maintaining operational flexibility by granting only the specific permissions needed for each operational context.
3Reliability
If comprehensive permission sets are assigned to ensure adequate access, then operational capability is maintained, but the complexity of permission management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service permission management through automated evaluation and assignment. The system autonomously analyzes usage patterns, evaluates risk, and assigns appropriate permissions without requiring manual administrative intervention, thereby maintaining operational capability while eliminating management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor permission usage and system state. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust permission assignments to maintain operational capability while optimizing for minimal necessary access, thereby reducing management complexity through automation rather than manual configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of one or more permissions associated with an identity is determined. One or more risk metrics and corresponding usage associated with the one or more permissions associated with the identity are determined. Access associated with at least one permission from the set of one or more permissions associated with the identity is modified based on the one or more determined risk metrics and corresponding usage associated with the one or more permissions associated with the identity.