SD-WAN IoT Policy Segmentation for Device-Level Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing SD-WAN systems lack the ability to manage network security posture with device granularity, leading to inefficiencies in policy enforcement and increased cybersecurity risks due to varied network traffic from IoT devices and web-based applications.
Innovation Solution
A security posture management system that leverages application identification and device discovery from network traffic data analysis to configure SD-WAN construct parameters, enabling tailored policies based on device type and application, implementing a SASE security model with zero trust principles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traffic management policies are configured for applications and enforced on corresponding application traffic regardless of device type, then policy management is simplified, but security posture cannot be managed with device granularity leading to increased cybersecurity risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments policy enforcement from application level to device level by introducing device identifiers into the policy matching framework. This allows the system to distinguish between different device types (IoT devices, printers, smartphones) while maintaining application-aware policy management, thereby achieving device-granularity security without completely complicating the policy management architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different security policies to be applied to different device types within the same application traffic. Instead of uniform policy enforcement, the system can tailor security measures based on device characteristics (e.g., stricter policies for IoT devices, different policies for printers), allowing each device type to receive appropriate security treatment.
2Reliability
If device granularity policies are implemented based on device type and application, then security posture management is enhanced, but system complexity increases due to need for ongoing network traffic data collection and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the SD-WAN controller continuously collects network traffic data, analyzes it to identify devices and applications, and uses this information to dynamically adjust policies. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing network conditions and device profiles, maintaining high security posture while managing complexity through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically discovering devices, identifying applications, and generating appropriate policies without requiring manual configuration for each device type. The SD-WAN controller autonomously analyzes traffic patterns and configures security measures based on detected device profiles, reducing the operational burden on administrators.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If policies are tailored for different application traffic from different device types, then cybersecurity risks are reduced, but policy configuration and enforcement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic policy configuration where security policies are not static but automatically adjust based on real-time device identification and traffic analysis. The system can dynamically create, modify, or deactivate policies based on detected device profiles and application types, enabling tailored security responses without requiring manual reconfiguration for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages parameter changes by using device identifiers, application identifiers, and traffic characteristics as configurable parameters in policy definitions. This allows the system to express complex security requirements through parameter-based matching and action rules, making policy configuration more manageable despite the variety of device types and applications involved.
Data Source
AI summary
Increasing use of web-based applications or Software-as-a-Service and IoT devices within enterprise networks increases the variety of network traffic and variables for consideration in managing security posture, which includes policy management. A security posture management system as disclosed herein leverages application identification and device discovery from ongoing collection and analysis of network traffic data to manage policies at device granularity allowing tailored security posture management. The system can tailor policies to handle network traffic depending on identified application and device type inputs obtained from the ongoing collection and analysis. The security posture management system can configure SD-WAN construct based parameters of a policy to tailor policies for different application traffic from different types of devices.