Unified Network Topology Updates for Cloud Incident Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional incident response strategies struggle to adapt to the dynamic and distributed nature of cloud environments, leading to delayed detection and response in cloud computing due to scalability, agility, and the reliance on legacy security tools and shared responsibility models.
Innovation Solution
A system generates a unified network topology using a unified data schema to integrate data from multiple sources, applies credibility scores, and updates the topology based on event records to enhance visibility and automate response actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional incident response strategies are used, then security monitoring is simplified, but detection speed and response effectiveness deteriorate in dynamic cloud environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic topology update mechanism that continuously adapts to cloud environment changes. Event sources publish topology changes (resource provisioning, de-provisioning, modifications) that trigger automatic updates to the security topology model, enabling the system to dynamically reflect the current cloud infrastructure state without manual reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the incident response system into independent modular components: event sources that publish changes, a topology builder that consumes events, credibility score calculators that assess data reliability, and incident responders that act on detected incidents. This modular architecture allows each component to be developed, maintained, and scaled independently
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive monitoring across multiple data sources is implemented, then incident detection accuracy improves, but data integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal event-driven architecture where diverse data sources (cloud providers, security tools, logging systems) all publish events through a common interface and data model. The unified topology representation serves as a universal model that can represent resources from any cloud provider or security tool, enabling consistent processing of heterogeneous data sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a credibility score mechanism as an intermediary layer between multiple data sources and the topology builder. When conflicting topology information is received from different sources, the system calculates credibility scores based on source reliability, event type, and consistency with existing topology, using this score to determine which data source to trust for updates
3Loss of time
If real-time topology updates are performed, then incident response time improves, but system resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements event-driven periodic updates where the topology is rebuilt or updated only when specific triggering events occur (resource provisioning, de-provisioning, modification). Rather than continuous periodic rebuilding, the system efficiently updates topology incrementally based on change events, reducing unnecessary computational overhead while maintaining real-time accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by updating only the specific portions of the topology that have changed rather than rebuilding the entire topology structure. When a resource is provisioned or modified, only the affected nodes and relationships in the topology graph are updated, preserving unchanged portions and minimizing computational resource consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for updating a unified network topology for a computing environment is presented. The method includes: generating a representation of a unified network topology for a network topology of a computing environment, the representation based on a unified data schema, wherein the unified data schema is mapped to a plurality of data schemas, each data schema corresponding to a unique data source; receiving an event record from a first data source; extracting data from the event record, the extracted data indicating a change in the network topology; and updating the representation of the unified network topology based on the extracted data from the event record.