Application Security Framework with Modular Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing software applications lack a comprehensive security framework to ensure secure access and data protection, particularly for sensitive information, as they often fail to enforce stringent security measures and regulatory compliance.

Innovation Solution

A security framework is implemented that includes a set of predetermined security modules such as device authentication, configuration profile management, data protection and encryption, and network access management, which verifies device security configurations, authenticates users, and manages access through security tokens, ensuring compliance with security regulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a comprehensive security framework with multiple verification steps is implemented, then security reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The security framework is divided into distinct modular components: device configuration verification, user authentication, and security token management. Each module performs a specific security function independently, allowing the system to maintain high security reliability while managing complexity through organized segmentation of security tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary verification of device security configuration before allowing application execution. The device security configuration profile is validated in advance to ensure compliance with security requirements, preventing unauthorized or insecure configurations from compromising system security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If security verification and authentication processes are enforced, then data protection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata protectionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The security framework automatically manages security tokens and handles authentication verification without requiring user intervention. Once a user is authenticated, the system self-manages token issuance, storage, and validation, providing strong data protection while maintaining ease of operation through automated security management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Security tokens serve as an intermediary mechanism between user authentication and application access. The tokens mediate the security verification process by providing a portable, verifiable credential that proves authentication without requiring continuous interaction with authentication servers, simplifying subsequent access operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If device security configuration verification is performed, then compliance with security regulations is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance with security regulationsVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Security configuration verification is performed preliminarily during device setup or application installation, before production activities begin. This ensures regulatory compliance is established in advance, allowing the application to execute without repeated verification interruptions, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Manual security compliance verification is replaced with automated cryptographic verification of device security configuration profiles. The system uses digital signatures and cryptographic protocols to automatically validate security configurations, eliminating time-consuming manual audits and enabling rapid compliance verification that does not impede productivity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2795460B1Application security framework
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 ABBVIE INC
  • EP2795460B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2795460B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2795460B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In accordance with the teaching described herein, systems and methods are provided for providing secure access to a software application on a computing device. The software application may include a security framework having a set of predetermined security requirements. Prior to enabling access to the software application by a user, the computing device may, (i) verify installation of a device security configuration profile on the computing device, wherein the device security configuration profile certifies that the software application includes the set of predetermined security requirements, (ii) receive identifying information from the user via a user interface, (iii) verify the identifying information with an authentication server, and (iv) based on a successful verification of the identifying information, receive and store a security token. Access to the software application on the computing device may be provided for a specified period identified by the security token.