Limited-Access Cloud Endpoints for Secure Unidirectional Network Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cloud computing environments face challenges in providing secure, scalable, and flexible access for third-party service providers to specific segments of customer virtual networks, lacking granular control and adhering to least privilege principles.
Innovation Solution
A connectivity solution using scalable virtual gateways and consumer-side limited-access endpoints, managed by a networking manager, enables unidirectional access from service provider networks to designated resources within consumer networks, ensuring secure and controlled communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional network access methods are used to allow service providers to access customer virtual networks, then network connectivity is achieved, but security control and granular access management are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the customer virtual network into multiple network segments or subnets, each with specific access control policies. Service providers are granted access to only the specific segments they need, rather than the entire network. This segmentation enables granular control over which resources are accessible while maintaining security boundaries between different parts of the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network gateway or intermediary device that mediates all traffic between service provider networks and customer virtual networks. This intermediary enforces access control policies, filters traffic, and provides a secure interface that maintains customer network security while enabling controlled access. The gateway acts as a buffer that prevents direct access to customer resources.
2Productivity
If load balancers are deployed to manage service provider access to customer networks, then traffic distribution is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the network gateway to perform multiple functions including access control, traffic routing, load balancing, and security enforcement. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional device, the system achieves efficient service integration and traffic management without requiring separate load balancers and access control systems, thereby reducing overall infrastructure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of network address translation, access control enforcement, and traffic management into a unified gateway system. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate load balancer infrastructure while maintaining efficient traffic distribution and access management capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If service providers are given broad access to customer virtual networks, then service delivery capability is enhanced, but security risks and exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality control by applying different access control policies to different network segments, resources, or services within the customer virtual network. Each resource can have its own security policy tailored to its specific requirements, allowing service providers to access only the specific resources they need with appropriate security controls, rather than granting blanket access to the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary security measures by pre-configuring access control policies, security groups, and network segmentations before service providers gain access. These pre-established security boundaries and access restrictions prevent potential security issues before they can occur, rather than reacting to security threats after access is granted.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual gateway for transmission of packets from a service provider virtual network to a service consumer virtual network of a user is established at a cloud computing environment. A limited-access endpoint is created in the service consumer virtual network, with security settings provided by the user which enable transmission of packets from a service implemented at the service provider virtual network to resources within the service consumer virtual network. A packet directed to a resource in the service consumer virtual network is received at the gateway from the service. If the security settings permit delivery of packets via the endpoint to the resource, the packet is transmitted to the resource.