Multi-tenant Security System Using Networked and Physical Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-tenant networked security systems face challenges in integrating physical security elements without compromising security or increasing complexity and cost, as physical security elements are typically unique to each user or device, making it difficult to scale securely.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tenant networked security system that uses a central server to generate a persistent network key and a transient physical key, based on a unique request identifier and user credentials, to verify user identity and access permissions, combining networked and physical security elements for secure access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical security elements are provided for each user or user device, then the degree of security provided is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines networked security elements (software-based, centralized) with physical security elements (hardware-based, distributed) into a unified multi-tenant system. The physical security element is integrated with a networked security element that communicates with a central server, allowing the system to leverage both the security strength of physical elements and the scalability of networked elements without requiring separate systems for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal security platform that can service multiple tenants (users, devices, locations) through a single instance of the networked security element. The system is designed to be multi-functional, supporting various physical security elements (cameras, access controls, sensors) across different tenants while maintaining centralized management and consistent security policies, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If physical security elements are provided for each user or user device, then the degree of security provided is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines networked security elements (software-based, centralized) with physical security elements (hardware-based, distributed) into a unified multi-tenant system. The physical security element is integrated with a networked security element that communicates with a central server, allowing the system to leverage both the security strength of physical elements and the scalability of networked elements without requiring separate systems for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtualization and software instantiation to create multiple logical instances of security elements from a single physical platform. The networked security element can be copied and distributed to multiple tenants through software deployment, eliminating the need to physically manufacture and deploy separate security hardware for each user, thereby significantly reducing system cost while maintaining security effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If a single instance of networked security element services large number of users, then the device complexity is reduced, but the degree of security provided decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the security system into distinct functional components: physical security elements (sensors, cameras, access controls), networked security elements (communication interfaces, protocols), and centralized management (server, database, policies). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together as an integrated system, maintaining security effectiveness across multiple tenants without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a networked security element as an intermediary between the physical security element and the centralized server. This intermediary handles local processing, data buffering, and protocol translation, reducing the communication burden on the server and enabling the system to scale to serve large numbers of users while maintaining both security effectiveness and manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are multi-tenant networked security systems and methods. The system includes a central server, a first user application provided on a first computing device, and a second user application provided on a second computer device, wherein the first and second computing devices are communicatively linked with the central server. The system further includes a persistent network key generated by the central server and based at least in part on a unique request identifier and a transient physical key generated by the first user application and based at least in part on the network key, wherein the network key is received by the first user application. The second user application is configured to communicate with the central server to analyze the network key and the physical key in order to verify that a user of the first user application possesses an ingress permission to an access point.