Network Security Manager Isolating IoT Devices from Router Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
IoT devices connected to a home Wi-Fi network become exposed and vulnerable to external communication when the wireless router fails, leading to security issues and connectivity problems.
Innovation Solution
A computer network security manager device connects to a wireless router and manages a plurality of IoT devices, preventing them from directly connecting to the router and only allowing communication through specific firewall rules, ensuring secure communication and seamless migration to a new router without reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IoT devices connect directly to the wireless router, then network connectivity is established, but security vulnerability increases when the router fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between IoT devices and the wireless router. The gateway maintains a local network for IoT devices and controls external connectivity through managed network connections to the router, preventing direct exposure of IoT devices to external network threats while maintaining connectivity.
2Device complexity
If the wireless router fails, then IoT devices become exposed to external network threats, but maintaining direct connection simplifies network architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a protective intermediary that isolates IoT devices from direct exposure to external network threats. Even when the router fails or is compromised, the gateway's controlled network connections and local network isolation prevent threat propagation to IoT devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway pre-establishes security measures including firewall rules, network isolation policies, and controlled connection management before any router failure occurs. These preemptive security configurations create a protective buffer that automatically activates when the router fails, preventing exposure without requiring complex reactive measures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If IoT devices are isolated from direct router connection for security, then security is improved, but device activation and configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway performs device activation automatically by monitoring for unactivated IoT devices on its local network and initiating activation procedures autonomously. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual user configuration while maintaining security through controlled network connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway serves multiple functions including network isolation, device activation, security management, and router communication all through a single device interface. This multi-functionality simplifies operation for users while implementing complex security measures behind the scenes.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer network security manager device connects to a first wireless router and then connects to a plurality of devices (e.g., a plurality of IoT devices). The computer network security manager device then performs device agnostic activation of the plurality of devices to enable the plurality of devices to perform respective functions of each device. The security manager device prevents the plurality of devices from connecting directly to the first wireless router and only allows other devices on the Internet to communicate with the plurality of devices according to specific firewall rules. In response to receiving an indication that the first wireless router to which the network security manager device is connected is out of service or no longer exists, the network security manager device prevents other devices on the Internet from being able to communicate with the plurality of devices.