Resource-Based Authentication Policy Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networked computer systems face challenges in efficiently and securely managing access to information resources, as users often need to maintain multiple usernames and passwords, and existing authentication methods lack flexibility in applying appropriate access controls based on resource-specific requirements.
Innovation Solution
Implementing resource-based authentication, where a policy agent intercepts client access requests and redirects them to appropriate authentication gateways based on system policies, applying either a default or resource-specific authentication technique to determine access, ensuring that clients authenticate using the correct method for each resource.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If per-application username and password authentication is implemented for each resource, then access control security is improved, but user management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments authentication policies by resource type, creating distinct authentication requirements for different resources (e.g., public resources vs. private resources). This allows security to be tailored per resource while managing complexity through systematic policy classification rather than individual configurations for each resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal authentication framework that handles multiple authentication scenarios (public resources, private resources, authenticated users, unauthenticated users) through a single policy evaluation mechanism. The policy agent universally applies the appropriate authentication technique based on resource classification, eliminating the need for separate management systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If role-based authentication is implemented with user roles, then access control flexibility is improved, but authentication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically determines authentication requirements based on the specific resource being accessed and the user's authentication status. Rather than requiring all users to undergo the same authentication process, the system adapts the authentication technique dynamically - applying certificate authentication only when necessary for private resources while allowing unauthenticated access to public resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the authentication parameter (authentication technique) based on resource properties and user context. The policy agent evaluates resource-specific parameters and user authentication status to select the appropriate authentication technique, changing from default to resource-specific authentication as needed, thereby reducing overhead while maintaining flexibility.
3Device complexity
If default authentication technique is applied to all resources, then system simplicity is improved, but resource-specific security requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes authentication policies in advance for different resource types during system configuration. The policy agent has pre-defined authentication techniques associated with resource categories (public vs. private resources), so when a access request occurs, the appropriate authentication method is already determined and ready to be applied, eliminating the need for complex real-time decisions while maintaining security requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for resource based authentication may include, in response to a client attempting to access a protected resource of a system, implementing resource based authentication. A policy agent may intercept the client access request and redirect it to an appropriate authentication gateway module based upon authentication polices. If the protected resource is not associated with any resource specific authentication technique, the policy agent may apply a default authentication technique. If, however, the protected resource is associated with a particular resource specific authentication technique, the policy agent may apply the resource specific authentication technique without applying the default authentication technique.