Security Provider Development Model for Enterprise Applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ensuring the security of enterprise-wide applications in heterogeneous computing environments is challenging due to incompatible security models, high implementation costs, and the need for extensive training, leading to brittle and costly security systems that distract from primary development duties.

Innovation Solution

A distributed security system that allows for flexible policy administration and fine-grained authorization at each access point, using security service modules and provider modules to manage resources and user roles dynamically, integrating with third-party security products and supporting business transaction-based authorization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If proprietary security models are implemented in each software application, then each application can have customized security control, but security compatibility across different applications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomized security controlVSAvoidsecurity compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal security framework that provides multi-functional security services across heterogeneous applications. The framework defines standard security interfaces and protocols that allow different applications to use common security mechanisms while maintaining their own security policies, thus achieving both customization and compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a security framework as an intermediary layer between applications and the underlying security infrastructure. This framework mediates security operations by translating application-specific security requirements into standardized security operations, enabling compatibility across different applications without sacrificing customized security control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If extensive training is provided to software developers for security implementation, then security implementation quality improves, but development time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity implementation qualityVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service security mechanisms where the security framework automatically performs security operations without requiring extensive developer intervention. The framework includes automated security policy enforcement, dynamic role assignment, and context-aware authorization that work automatically with minimal configuration, reducing both training requirements and development time while maintaining high security quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If security measures are intricately tied to the application itself, then security control is precise, but system brittleness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity control precisionVSAvoidsystem brittleness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments security functionality from application logic by implementing a separate security framework layer. This segmentation allows security controls to be precisely applied to specific application functions while maintaining independence between security mechanisms and application code, reducing system brittleness when changes are needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic security mechanisms that can adapt to changing conditions without requiring changes to the application itself. The framework supports dynamic role assignment, context-aware policy evaluation, and runtime security adjustments, allowing precise security control that remains flexible and maintainable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If fine-grained authorization is implemented at each access point, then security control precision improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity control precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal authorization framework that provides fine-grained security control through standardized mechanisms. The framework defines common authorization interfaces and protocols that can be consistently applied across all access points, achieving precise security control without proportionally increasing system complexity through repetition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The security framework acts as an intermediary that centralizes fine-grained authorization logic. Instead of implementing complex authorization mechanisms at each access point, the framework provides a unified authorization service that handles detailed security decisions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise security control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7603548B2Security provider development model
Publication Date: 2009.10.13 ORACLE INT CORP
  • US7603548B2 patent drawing
  • US7603548B2 patent drawing
  • US7603548B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for providing a security provider for a client comprises providing a service provider interface, that is compatible with a security framework layer, and one or more services. The one or more services include at least one of, authentication, authorization, auditing, role mapping and credential mapping. The one or more services can be exposed through the service provider interface and the framework layer can expose the one or more services to an application program interface.