Network Penetration Analysis via Topology and ACL Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network security policies based on Access Control Lists (ACLs) become complex and error-prone due to dynamic network requirements, leading to potential misconfigurations and compromised security, especially when updated or modified frequently across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining network penetration by correlating topology data with ACL data to analyze packet flow and penetration, providing a graphical representation of network connections and potential vulnerabilities, aiding administrators in configuring and validating security policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ACLs are frequently updated and modified to meet dynamic network requirements, then network adaptability is improved, but configuration error risk and system reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates, validates, and deploys ACL configurations without requiring manual administrator intervention for each change. The automated system serves itself by detecting network changes, formulating appropriate ACL rules, and applying them consistently across the network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous monitoring and validation of ACL configurations, providing feedback loops that detect potential errors before they cause network outages. The validation mechanism checks configuration integrity and provides corrective feedback to maintain reliability during frequent updates.
2Reliability
If ACL configurations are distributed across multiple routers to implement comprehensive security policy, then security coverage is improved, but administrative complexity and detection difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the management of distributed ACL configurations into a unified automated framework. Instead of administrators managing ACLs on each router separately, the system consolidates configuration generation, validation, and deployment across all network devices through a centralized automated process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides universal ACL management capabilities that work across multiple router types and network locations. A single automated system performs multiple functions including configuration generation, validation, deployment, and monitoring across the entire network infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual ACL configuration is performed to maintain security policy, then configuration flexibility is improved, but productivity and time efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates ACL configurations based on network requirements without requiring manual administrator input for each rule. The system serves itself by detecting network changes and autonomously formulating appropriate security rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation and generation of ACL configurations before deployment. By preparing configurations in advance with built-in validation, the system eliminates time-consuming manual review and troubleshooting processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining network penetration (which may be carried on a computer readable medium) and an apparatus for performing the method are disclosed. The method includes the computer-implemented step of simulating a packet traveling in a network based on topology data and on security policy data, and providing output related to results of the step of simulating.