Time-Based Network Asset Visualization for Security Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex computer network environments with numerous assets and dynamic topologies pose challenges in discovery, monitoring, management, and visualization, making it difficult to effectively analyze and secure these networks.
Innovation Solution
A security server system that generates a time-based visualization of network assets and events through a multi-dimensional timeline panel and computer network visualization panel, synchronizing updates based on changing network states and user interactions, enabling efficient recognition of anomalous activities and rapid remediation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional network monitoring methods are used, then network security monitoring is performed, but the complexity of visualizing and analyzing large numbers of assets and events increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network visualization into multiple independent panels (timeline panel, network graph panel, asset list panel, event details panel) that can be displayed and interacted with separately. Each panel handles specific aspects of network monitoring, dividing the complex visualization task into manageable segments that reduce overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by implementing a multi-dimensional timeline that displays events across different time periods simultaneously. This transforms the traditional single-point-in-time visualization into a multi-dimensional view that incorporates time as an additional axis, enabling analysts to perceive network events, asset changes, and security incidents across historical, current, and future timeframes in a single integrated display.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive network asset tracking is implemented, then complete network state information is obtained, but the difficulty of detecting and analyzing anomalies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors network events and automatically updates the visualization panels in real-time. The timeline panel reflects current events, the network graph updates asset states, and anomaly detection results are fed back to highlight suspicious activities. This closed-loop feedback system reduces the difficulty of anomaly detection by automatically processing and presenting relevant information without requiring manual analysis of all raw data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer of event processing and filtering between raw network data and the visualization interface. The system uses event correlation engines, asset relationship graphs, and temporal pattern recognition as intermediaries to transform comprehensive but raw network state information into structured, contextualized insights. These intermediaries automatically identify anomalies by comparing current events against historical patterns and asset relationships, reducing the complexity of anomaly detection.
3Speed
If real-time network monitoring is performed, then current network state is visualized, but the ability to perform historical analysis is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic timeline system that can flexibly adjust between real-time and historical views. The timeline panel allows users to navigate across different time periods while maintaining the same visualization interface, and the system dynamically loads and displays relevant data for the selected time range. This dynamic capability enables seamless switching between real-time monitoring and historical analysis without requiring separate systems, as the same interface adapts to different temporal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and storing network event data in structured formats with temporal metadata as events occur. The system maintains historical event logs, asset state snapshots, and relationship graphs in advance, organized by time periods and event types. This preliminary organization of data enables rapid retrieval and analysis of historical information when needed, as the data is already structured and indexed for efficient querying across different timeframes without requiring real-time data collection during historical analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A security server for a networked computer environment monitors network assets and events and generates a user interface that provides a time-based visualization of the network state. The user interface may include at least a multi-dimensional timeline panel and a computer network visualization panel that synchronously update based on changing network state, detected events, and user interactions. The multi-dimensional timeline panel independently depicts multiple categories of events according to timing of their occurrences. The computer network visualization panel depicts the network state at a selected timepoint as a network graph showing detected network assets and connections between them.