Offline Authentication Tool for Dynamic Role Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing systems face security challenges due to the ease with which unauthorized users can gain access and privileges, especially when mobile devices disconnect from networks, leading to potential data breaches and malicious activities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an authentication tool that assigns users different roles or contexts based on network connectivity and credential types, using multi-factor authentication, and mandatory access control mechanisms to manage access permissions dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile computing systems are used to provide convenient access, then user accessibility and portability are improved, but system security and control over access privileges deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control where the authentication mechanism adapts based on network connectivity status. When connected, full authentication occurs; when disconnected, a fallback offline authentication mode activates, dynamically adjusting security measures based on environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes authentication parameters based on network availability. The authentication tool modifies credential verification requirements, timeout settings, and access privilege levels depending on whether the system is online or offline, allowing flexible security adaptation
2Ease of operation
If username/password authentication is used, then ease of login is improved, but vulnerability to unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication process is segmented into multiple independent stages: credential verification, network connectivity check, offline authentication capability validation, and privilege assignment. Each segment can be independently controlled and validated, preventing single-point failures
Solution Approach 2:
An authentication tool acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the computing system. This mediator implements the offline authentication logic, credential verification, and dynamic privilege management, adding a security buffer without requiring users to directly interact with complex security mechanisms
3Productivity
If offline access is allowed, then system usability during disconnection is improved, but risk of malicious activities and data breaches deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication and privilege assignment before allowing offline access. The authentication tool pre- validates credentials and establishes appropriate access restrictions in advance, preventing malicious activities by ensuring only authorized users can operate in offline mode with limited privileges
Data Source
AI summary
A method including determining, by a processing device, whether a computer system is able to access an authentication server, in response to determining that the computer system is able to access the authentication server, requesting a first set of credentials, authenticating the first set of credentials, assigning a user a first role for performing operations on the computer system in view of the first set of credentials, and in response to determining that the computer system is unable to access the authentication server, requesting a second set of credentials different from the first set of credentials, authenticating one or more credentials provided by the user, and assigning the user a second role for performing operations on the computer system in view of the one or more credentials, wherein the first role specifies a first type of access to at least one object on the computer system, and the second role specifies a second type of access to the at least one object, wherein the first type of access is different from the second type of access.