Risk-Based Network Flow Security Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network security models face challenges in managing the increasing number of IoT devices, as traditional flow control policies are not scalable and may lead to security oversights or performance issues, especially when devices move between networks.
Innovation Solution
A risk-based approach is implemented, where a network security device assesses the risk level of a network flow by querying a risk assessment and provisioning engine, using attributes of the devices and flow behavior, and applies a corresponding security policy to determine inspection levels, reducing the need for explicit flow policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all network traffic is fully inspected to ensure security, then security level is improved, but system performance and scalability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different inspection levels to different network flows based on their risk characteristics. Low-risk flows receive minimal inspection while high-risk flows undergo thorough security checks. This localized differentiation allows the system to maintain high security for critical traffic while preserving overall system performance through selective inspection intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the inspection parameter (inspection depth) based on the risk level assessment of each network flow. By adjusting the inspection parameter according to risk characteristics rather than applying a fixed inspection level to all traffic, the system achieves both high security where needed and high performance where risk is low.
2Reliability
If traditional explicit flow control policies are applied to all devices, then security control is improved, but device complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically assessing risk levels and selecting appropriate flow policies without requiring explicit administrator configuration for each device or flow. The risk assessment engine autonomously analyzes network flow characteristics and device attributes to determine the appropriate security policy, eliminating the need for complex manual policy management while maintaining strong security control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal risk assessment framework that can evaluate diverse IoT devices and network flows using a common set of risk factors and policies. This multi-functional approach allows the same system to handle various device types (smartwatches, fitness trackers, home appliances) and network scenarios without requiring device-specific policy configurations, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If manual flow policy definition is used to maintain security, then security oversight is improved, but scalability and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary risk assessment actions by pre-defining risk factors, weightings, and flow policies that can be applied automatically to new devices and flows. This preliminary configuration of the risk assessment framework enables the system to quickly adapt to new IoT devices and network scenarios without requiring manual security policy definition for each case, thereby achieving both security oversight and scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where risk assessment results and security outcomes are continuously monitored and used to refine risk factor weightings and policy selections. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from experience and improve its security oversight capabilities automatically, enabling scalability without proportionally increasing manual security management requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for applying a risk-based approach to security inspection of network flows is provided. According to one embodiment, a packet of a flow between a first and second device coupled with a private network is received by a network security device. If an explicit flow policy is defined for the flow, it is applied to the flow; otherwise: (i) a risk level associated with the flow is obtained based on one or more of attributes of the flow, one or more derived attributes of the flow, one or more attributes of the first or second device, analysis of local or remote security logs, environmental parameters, past experience with the first or second device or with a device similar, and behavior of the flow; and (ii) a flow policy selected from multiple flow policies based on the obtained risk level is applied to the flow.