Password Recovery via Future Password Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
The timing of backups in computer networks often does not align with password changes, leading to a mismatch between backup data and current passwords, compromising network security and access management.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for generating and storing future device access passwords, which are included in backups, allowing for password changes and restoration in case of failure, ensuring that the backup data corresponds to the current password used by the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If regular back-ups are implemented, then system reliability is improved, but password data in back-ups becomes outdated and mismatches current passwords
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates future passwords in advance and stores them in the backup data. When a password change occurs, the new password is already available in the backup, eliminating the mismatch problem. This preliminary preparation ensures that backup data always contains valid password information without requiring frequent synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system dynamically adapts to password changes by automatically detecting when passwords are changed and updating the stored password data accordingly. This dynamic behavior ensures that the backup data remains synchronized with current passwords while maintaining regular backup schedules.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If passwords are changed frequently for security, then network security is improved, but backup data becomes outdated more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
Future passwords are generated and stored in advance in the backup data. This allows the system to accommodate frequent password changes without causing backup data to become outdated, as the needed password information is already prepared and stored.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors password changes and automatically updates backup data when changes occur. This feedback mechanism ensures that even with frequent password changes, the backup data remains current and accurate without requiring manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple future passwords are stored in backup, then password recovery capability is improved, but backup data size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple future passwords are stored in a structured, segmented format within the backup data. Each password is organized separately with associated metadata, allowing efficient storage and retrieval without creating excessive complexity in the overall backup structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use as a single sign on entity (100) for controlling access to one or more devices (104a-d) in a computer network, the devices accessible with a device access password; the apparatus comprises a password generator configured to generate current and future device access passwords, a back-up controller configured to store a back-up comprising the current and future device access passwords at the time of the back-up in a memory, a password changer configured to change the current device password to one of the future device access passwords and to control a transmitter to transmit data implementing the change to the device, wherein the back-up controller is configured to restore the device access password from the backed-up future device access passwords, losing the current device access password.