Database Predicate Access Enforcement for Granular Query Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional database security measures are inadequate in managing complex and evolving cyber threats, leading to performance bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities, and inefficiencies in access control, particularly in high-traffic environments.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates a modified query with embedded access security functionality, using database predicates to enforce granular permissions, ensuring only authorized data access without additional database queries for permission checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional security measures (passwords and encryption) are used, then basic data protection is provided, but they are insufficient to address complex and evolving cyber threats and provide granular access control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments access control into fine-grained permissions at the column and row levels, allowing different users to access different portions of data based on their roles and needs. This segmentation enables granular control over data access, moving beyond traditional all-or-nothing access models to provide precise, context-specific access rights that adapt to complex security requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic access control where permissions are not static but adapt based on user context, data sensitivity, and security policies. The system dynamically evaluates access requests against defined permissions and automatically enforces appropriate access levels, allowing the security mechanism to adapt to evolving threats and changing user roles without requiring system reconfiguration
2Reliability
If granular access control is implemented, then security is improved, but performance bottlenecks occur in high-traffic environments due to additional permission checks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining and storing access permissions in the database schema itself, embedding security rules directly into the data structure. This allows the database engine to evaluate permissions using optimized query execution paths rather than performing separate permission checks for each access request, significantly improving performance while maintaining granular security control
Solution Approach 2:
The database system performs self-service security enforcement by automatically evaluating embedded permissions against user contexts during query execution. The system autonomously determines which users can access which data without requiring external security services or manual permission verification, reducing overhead and improving query performance while maintaining security
3Reliability
If traditional permission checking is performed, then access control is enforced, but security vulnerabilities and inefficiencies arise due to separate permission lookup queries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges security functionality directly into the database query execution engine by embedding permission definitions within the data schema. This integration eliminates the need for separate permission lookup queries and external security services, consolidating security enforcement within the database system itself. The result is a simpler architecture with fewer moving parts while maintaining robust access control
Data Source
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AI summary
A system, method, and device for enforcing access security for queries to data stored at a data source are provided. The method generates a modified query that has security enforcement functionality embedded into the modified query. The method includes (i) receiving from a user a user query for data at a data source, (ii) determining a set of permissions for the user to access data at the data source, wherein the user is associated with the user query, (iii) generating a modified query to enforce access permissions to the data at the data source, (iv) providing the modified query to the data source, and (v) obtaining the data responsive to the user query for which the user has the requisite permissions. The modified query is generated based at least in part on the user query and the set of permissions for the user.