Privacy Obfuscation for Security Alert Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing security-related information to administrators often violate user-configured privacy policies, as administrators can freely access detailed user data without regard for individual user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates obfuscated user alert data based on user-configured privacy policies, allowing administrators to view summarized user activity trends without exposing personal information, by applying privacy policies to user data and generating obfuscated data visualizations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If administrators access detailed user data for security monitoring, then security alert investigation capability is improved, but user privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the security monitoring system and administrators. This layer receives raw user data, applies privacy policies to obfuscate sensitive information (such as replacing actual names with pseudonyms, generalizing locations), and then presents the processed data to administrators. This intermediary mechanism enables security investigation while protecting user privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes data parameters based on privacy policies. Sensitive attributes like exact location coordinates are transformed into generalized locations (e.g., city or region levels), personal identifiers are replaced with pseudonyms, and time precision is reduced. These parameter changes maintain the utility of security data while eliminating privacy risks.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If user data is obfuscated to protect privacy, then user privacy protection is improved, but security information accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial obfuscation rather than complete anonymization. Critical security-relevant information is preserved while only specific sensitive elements are obfuscated. For example, the system retains patterns of user behavior, device characteristics, and security event sequences while removing personally identifiable information. This partial action approach maintains security investigability while achieving privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments user data into different categories with different obfuscation levels. Security-critical data elements (such as authentication events, access patterns) are preserved with minimal obfuscation, while highly sensitive elements (such as personal identifiers, precise locations) receive stronger obfuscation. This segmented approach optimizes the balance between security utility and privacy protection.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provide techniques for improving user information security using data obfuscation. In various embodiments, a method includes obtaining an alert associated with a unique user identifier (UUID) based at least in part on a real-time monitoring of user activities on an application. The method further includes rendering a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising the alert on an administrator computing device via an application programming interface (API). The method further includes receiving, via the API, a request for user data associated with the alert, and obtaining user data and at least one user-configured privacy policy based on the UUID. The method further includes generating obfuscated user alert data at least in part by applying the at least one user-configured privacy policy to the user data. The method further includes causing provision of the obfuscated user alert data to the administrator computing device via the API for rendering on the GUI.