PAM Appliance for Real-Time Endpoint Access Approval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access control systems for sensitive information systems are costly, difficult to administer, and provide inadequate granular control and audit capabilities, leading to inefficient and broad access permissions.
Innovation Solution
A PAM appliance that enforces real-time access controls through a PAM appliance, allowing granular access management, secure session handling, and automated approval processes, with features like push technology and clientless access, ensuring robust security and ease of administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional network segmentation is used to control access, then security is improved, but access granularity deteriorates (overly broad access)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments access control into multiple layers: network-level segmentation for broad security zones and asset-level segmentation for granular control. Each asset receives individual access credentials that can be selectively distributed to specific entities, enabling precise control over who accesses what without requiring complete network segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different access control mechanisms at different levels: network-wide policies for general security and asset-specific credentials for localized granular control. Each asset has its own access control settings and credential distribution list, allowing tailored access permissions rather than uniform network-wide rules.
2Ease of operation
If access credentials are set up per asset with selective dissemination, then access control granularity is improved, but administrative complexity and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal access control platform that handles credential generation, distribution, tracking, and revocation across all assets through a single system. This multi-functional platform eliminates the need for separate administrative processes for each asset, consolidating complex tasks into unified management interfaces and automated workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated credential distribution and tracking capabilities that reduce manual administrative intervention. Access credentials are automatically generated, distributed to authorized entities, and tracked for audit purposes without requiring manual coordination for each credential lifecycle event.
3Ease of operation
If comprehensive access credentials are distributed to select entities, then access control precision is improved, but audit trail accuracy worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements comprehensive audit logging that continuously monitors and records credential usage, access events, and policy violations. The system provides real-time feedback on access patterns and maintains detailed logs that can be queried for audit purposes, ensuring accurate tracking of who accessed what asset, when, and under what conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The access control platform acts as an intermediary between assets and entities, mediating all access requests and maintaining a centralized audit trail. This intermediary role ensures that all access events are logged through a single point of control, preventing loss of audit information that would occur with distributed or manual credential management.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is described for approving access controls for endpoints. The approach involves receiving a request to access an endpoint device from an accessor device. The approach involves generating an approval request for an approver device. The approach involves transmitting the approval request to the approver device. The approach involves establishing a session between the endpoint device and the accessor device based on a response from the approver device.