Sandbox Security Policy Analysis for Faster Access Troubleshooting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IT operations face significant challenges in identifying and remediating application connectivity issues in large network infrastructures, requiring extensive manual troubleshooting and domain knowledge, leading to increased mean time to detect and resolve problems.

Innovation Solution

An Application Access Analyzer (AAA) is introduced, providing an automated solution that uses AI and ML to analyze network connectivity, security policies, and user authentication, offering actionable verdicts and root cause analysis to quickly identify and remediate application access issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual troubleshooting is used to identify and remediate application connectivity issues, then domain knowledge and expertise can be applied, but the mean time to detect and resolve problems increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproblem resolution accuracyVSAvoidmean time to detect and resolve
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automated troubleshooting by having the platform itself perform root cause analysis and remediation actions without requiring manual intervention from domain experts. The automated policy analysis engine independently identifies connectivity issues, determines root causes, and executes remediation policies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical troubleshooting processes with an automated electronic system that uses AI/ML algorithms to analyze network data, identify connectivity issues, and execute remediation actions. The mechanical process of manual inspection and decision-making is substituted with automated computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated analysis is implemented to reduce manual troubleshooting, then mean time to resolve issues decreases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveissue resolution speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the complex automated analysis into distinct functional modules: data collection module, policy analysis module, root cause determination module, and remediation execution module. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, making the overall complex system more manageable and maintainable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an automated policy analysis engine as an intermediary between raw network data and remediation actions. This intermediary layer processes and analyzes collected data, determines root causes, and formulates appropriate remediation policies, simplifying the interaction between different system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If comprehensive automated analysis is provided, then operational costs are reduced, but the system requires significant computational resources and infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational costVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by analyzing only the specific subset of network data and policies relevant to the current connectivity issue being investigated, rather than processing all available data comprehensively. This targeted approach reduces unnecessary computational resource consumption while still achieving effective root cause analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes through AI/ML algorithms that dynamically adjust analysis depth and computational intensity based on the complexity and urgency of the detected issue. The system can modify processing parameters such as data collection scope, analysis granularity, and remediation thoroughness to optimize the balance between operational cost reduction and computational resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260075094A1Security policy analysis
Publication Date: 2026.03.12 PALO ALTO NETWORKS INC
  • US20260075094A1 patent drawing
  • US20260075094A1 patent drawing
  • US20260075094A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Security policy analysis is disclosed. Configuration information, including at least one policy, associated with a live production security appliance, is received. The received configuration information is used to instantiate the policy in a sandbox environment. The sandbox environment is used to evaluate a proposed change to the configuration information, including by building a model using the received configuration information.