Security-Adaptive Code Execution with Selective Function Versions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing systems in resource-constrained environments face a trade-off between security and performance due to the resource-intensive nature of strong security features, leading to the implementation of weak or no security measures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing selective execution of two versions of a software function, one with higher security and one with lower security, based on evaluated criteria, to provide adaptive security without constant resource overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If strong security features are implemented in resource-constrained systems, then security strength is improved, but system performance deteriorates due to excessive resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between secure and insecure versions of functions based on runtime conditions such as security risk assessments and resource availability. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between security strength and performance by invoking security checks only when necessary, rather than always or never.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the security parameter (level of security checking) based on evaluated criteria. When security risk is high or resources are abundant, the system invokes secure versions with comprehensive checks. When security risk is low or resources are constrained, it switches to insecure versions with minimal checks, effectively changing the security parameter to match current system conditions.
2Reliability
If security checks are added to software functions, then security reliability is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying full security checks to all function executions, the system applies security checks partially - only to those executions that meet specific security criteria. This partial action approach reduces unnecessary resource consumption while maintaining security reliability for critical operations where security threats are more likely or consequences are more severe.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of security checking based on runtime conditions. Security checks are invoked only when security risk assessments indicate potential threats or when resource conditions permit, rather than being statically applied to all operations. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between security reliability and resource consumption.
3Productivity
If security features are selectively invoked based on evaluated criteria, then resource efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments security functionality into separate secure and insecure versions of functions. Each version is independently optimized - secure versions contain comprehensive security checks while insecure versions contain minimal or no checks. This segmentation allows the system to invoke only the necessary version based on evaluated criteria, improving resource efficiency while managing complexity through clear separation of security logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary security adaptation layer that evaluates security criteria and selectively invokes appropriate function versions. This intermediary manages the complexity of selective invocation by centralizing the decision-making logic and providing a unified interface for security-adaptive execution, thereby improving resource efficiency without excessively increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes calling to a first function, determination, in response to the call, of whether to execute a first version of the first function or a second version of the first function, execution of the first version of the first function if it is determined to execute the first version of the first function, and execution of the second version of the second function if it is determined to execute the second version of the first function, wherein the second version of the first function comprises a security-related features and the first version of the first function does not comprise the security-related feature.