ML Threat Mitigation for Blocking Anomalous Network Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network security systems rely on static firewall policies that fail to promptly adapt to new and emerging threats, allowing bad actors ample time to access and exfiltrate data due to the delay in updating firewall rules.

Innovation Solution

A machine learning-based system that proactively monitors network traffic, detects compromised devices and malicious requests, and implements security protocols to prevent data transmission to such devices, using a training dataset to adapt to new threats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If static firewall policies are used to protect network security, then known security threats can be caught, but there is a significant delay in updating firewall rules to mitigate new threats

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreat detection accuracyVSAvoiddelay in updating firewall rules
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static firewall policy into a dynamic system by implementing a machine learning model that continuously learns from network traffic patterns and automatically updates threat detection rules. The system dynamically adapts to new threats by training the model on incoming data, eliminating the manual update delay inherent in traditional static firewall policies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The machine learning system performs self-updating by automatically training on new network traffic data and generating updated detection rules without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by continuously improving its threat detection capabilities through automated learning from observed network patterns, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with manual rule updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of time

If machine learning algorithms are used to proactively detect threats, then detection timeliness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreat detection timelinessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a machine learning model as an intermediary between raw network traffic and threat detection decisions. This intermediary layer processes and interprets complex network patterns, enabling timely threat detection while abstracting the complexity from the core firewall system. The model serves as a mediator that translates raw data into actionable security decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the threat detection function into a separate machine learning module that can be independently trained and updated. This segmentation allows the complex ML operations to be isolated from the core firewall infrastructure, enabling timely threat detection through specialized processing while managing overall system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260025406A1System and method for improving network security using machine learning based-threat mitigation
Publication Date: 2026.01.22 BANK OF AMERICA CORP
  • US20260025406A1 patent drawing
  • US20260025406A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system for improving network security using machine learning-based threat mitigation is disclosed. The system accesses a data packet that is intended to be communicated to a destination device. The system extracts a first set of network features from the data packet and determines a network path associated with the data packet based on the extracted first set of network features. The system determines, using a machine learning algorithm, based on a training dataset and the extracted first set of network features, that the first destination device is anomalous. In response, the system performs one or more countermeasure actions comprising preventing the data packet from traversing to the first destination device in the network.