Modular Security Delegates for Multi-Protocol Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applications face challenges in managing multiple authentication and authorization levels across different user types, leading to potential security risks and ambiguous credentials when using various authentication mechanisms, especially when internal corporate mechanisms are exposed to external threats.
Innovation Solution
Implementing modular security delegates and corresponding security services that determine the appropriate authentication mechanism based on user credentials, network location, and user type, using protocols like Kerberos, SSL/TLS, and RAS to ensure strong security levels for different user access levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple authentication mechanisms are implemented in applications to support different user types, then accessibility and versatility are improved, but security risk and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication system by introducing a security delegate component that separates authentication mechanism handling from the main application. The security delegate receives authentication requests, determines the appropriate mechanism based on user credentials and network location, and processes authentication independently. This segmentation allows multiple authentication mechanisms to coexist without compromising the application's security architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The security delegate acts as an intermediary between the application and various authentication mechanisms. It mediates authentication requests by determining which mechanism to use based on user type, network location, and credentials provided. This intermediary approach enables the system to support multiple authentication mechanisms (Kerberos, SSL, RAS, etc.) while maintaining centralized security control and reducing the application's direct exposure to security risks.
2Ease of operation
If multiple authentication mechanisms are exposed to external networks, then user accessibility is improved, but vulnerability to brute-force attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different security levels for different network locations and user types. The security delegate determines the appropriate authentication mechanism based on the user's network location (internal vs. external) and user type. External users may be directed to more secure authentication mechanisms like Kerberos or SSL, while internal users can use simpler mechanisms like RAS. This localized security approach ensures that each authentication mechanism is exposed only where appropriate, reducing overall vulnerability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If authentication mechanisms are built into applications, then functionality is improved, but maintenance complexity and security updates become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication mechanism handling logic from the main application by introducing a separate security delegate component. The security delegate is responsible for receiving authentication requests, determining the appropriate mechanism, and processing authentication. This extraction allows the application to maintain its core functionality while delegating authentication complexity to a specialized component that can be updated and maintained independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The security delegate is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple authentication mechanisms (Kerberos, SSL, digest authentication, NT LAN manager, tokens, RAS, LDAP, etc.). This multi-functional design allows a single component to provide authentication services for various user types and network locations, reducing the need for multiple separate authentication modules in the application and simplifying maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present teachings relate to systems and methods for generating modular security delegates for application instances, including, for example, applications usable on physical machines, virtualized environments, in the cloud, etc. According to embodiments, in a multiple network environment, multiple machines (or clients) can be configured, each having a defined security level. Each machine can include a plurality of application instances and corresponding security delegates for various defined security levels. For example, the defined security levels can be based on various authentication mechanisms, including, Kerberos, NT Lan Manager (NTLM) authentication protocol, secure sockets layer/transport security layer (SSL/TSL), token authentication, virtual private network (VPN), remote access security (RAS), digest authentication, etc.