Session Token Revocation for Online Service Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Online service providers face challenges in preventing unauthorized access to their services after access rights have been revoked, as session tokens can persist and allow users to continue accessing services they no longer qualify for.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method where a wireless carrier network or a session management platform determines the current status of access rights for a user with respect to an online service. If the user is found not to have access rights, programmatic instructions are generated to remove the session token from the user's device, thereby forcing re-authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If session tokens are used to provide convenient access to online services, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates because users can continue accessing services after access rights are revoked
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the core network continuously monitors access rights status and communicates with the session management platform. When access rights are revoked, the system receives feedback about the status change and responds by removing session tokens, thereby maintaining security while preserving convenience during valid access periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The session token system transitions from a static approach (tokens remaining valid until natural expiration) to a dynamic approach where tokens can be remotely invalidated. The system adapts session token validity based on real-time access rights status, allowing convenient access when authorized and immediate revocation when authorization is withdrawn.
2Reliability
If access rights are revoked to prevent unauthorized use, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because users must re-authenticate
Solution Approach 1:
The session management platform acts as an intermediary between the core network and user devices. It handles the complex task of session token removal and manages the transition state, shielding users from the technical complexity of re-authentication while ensuring security requirements are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively removing session tokens from user devices when access rights are revoked, rather than waiting for unauthorized access attempts. This preventive approach secures access control while minimizing user impact by handling the revocation process automatically in the background.
3Reliability
If session tokens are removed to force re-authentication, then security is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to additional authentication steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically managing session token removal and triggering re-authentication processes without requiring user intervention. The core network, session management platform, and user device work autonomously to enforce access control policies, minimizing disruption to user productivity while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are techniques for preventing a user from continuing to access an online service once access rights have been revoked. In some embodiments, the techniques comprise receiving a request to determine a current status of access rights in association with a user and an online service, determining, based on one or more conditions associated with the online service, the current status of access rights, upon determining that the current status of access rights indicates that the user is not authorized to access the online service, identifying at least one user device associated with the user, generating programmatic instructions to cause a session token associated with the online service to be removed from a memory of the at least one user device, and providing the programmatic instructions to the at least one user device.