Privileged Data Access Auditing for Remote Troubleshooting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Computing systems face issues with unauthorized access to privileged user information during remote troubleshooting, where agents may inadvertently or maliciously access sensitive data, and users are often unaware of the compromise.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for authorization audit that includes generating tokens for users and requestors, logging session interactions, and sending audit records to users, ensuring that access is limited to a subset of privileged information within a defined context and providing transparency through audit records.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If agents access privileged user information during remote troubleshooting, then user support and device repair can be performed, but unauthorized access to sensitive data may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments user data into different categories (privileged information vs. non-privileged) and implements granular access controls that allow agents to access only the specific subset of data needed for troubleshooting, rather than providing blanket access to all user information. This segmentation prevents unauthorized access while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authorization system that mediates between agents and user data repositories. This intermediary layer verifies agent credentials, validates the necessity of data access, and logs all access attempts, thereby preventing direct unauthorized access while allowing legitimate troubleshooting operations.
2Productivity
If agents access user data without notification, then troubleshooting can proceed efficiently, but users remain unaware of data compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where users receive notifications about data access activities. After agents access user data for troubleshooting, the system generates audit records and notifies users of these access events. This feedback loop maintains troubleshooting efficiency while informing users of data access, allowing them to monitor and control their information exposure.
3Reliability
If comprehensive audit records are maintained for all data access, then security monitoring is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audit system implements local quality by differentiating between types of data access and applying appropriate logging levels. Critical access events (unauthorized attempts, access to highly sensitive data) are logged with detailed information, while routine authorized access is logged with minimal information. This selective auditing approach improves security monitoring for critical events while reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a system, method, and storage medium comprising a processor, memory, and instructions to send a request for authorization to a user wherein the authorization is limited to a subset of privileged information associated with the user, receive a response for authorization from the user. The instructions, responsive to the receipt of the response, access the subset of privileged information from a user data repository. The instructions, responsive to the access, send an audit record to an audit system, wherein the audit record comprises the request, the response, and a summary of the access and send the audit record to the user.