Software Configuration Management Apparatus for Unauthorized Change Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing computer system management apparatuses are unable to determine whether the entry of a reason for not installing an essential application is appropriate, leading to potential unauthorized changes in software configurations.

Innovation Solution

A management apparatus and method that accepts applications intended to change the software configuration and denies them based on the number of times such applications have been made, thereby ensuring appropriate denial of unreliable or negligent change operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the management apparatus only determines whether a valid reason has been registered for not installing an essential application, then the operation simplicity is maintained, but the reliability of determining appropriate denial is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of determining appropriate denialVSAvoidcomplexity of reason verification process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management apparatus performs preliminary actions by counting the number of times a reason has been registered before the current denial determination. This historical data accumulation allows the system to make more reliable judgments about whether a reason is appropriate without requiring complex real-time analysis of the reason's validity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using the count of previously registered reasons to influence the current denial determination. The count serves as feedback information that helps the management apparatus learn from past patterns and make more accurate determinations about whether a reason is legitimate, improving reliability over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the management apparatus denies applications based on the number of times they have been made, then the reliability of preventing unauthorized changes is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of preventing unauthorized changesVSAvoidease of submitting application

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The management apparatus performs self-service by automatically counting and tracking the number of times applications have been submitted. This automatic tracking eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex user input, allowing the system to make denial decisions based on objective historical data without burdening the user with additional operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter used for decision-making from subjective reason validation to objective count-based criteria. By transforming the denial determination into a function of the number of times an application has been made rather than analyzing the reason's validity, the system improves reliability while maintaining ease of operation for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11698960B2Management apparatus, management method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 NEC CORP

AI summary

A management apparatus, a management method, and a storage medium that can appropriately deny an application intended not to change a software configuration of a device are provided. The management apparatus includes: an acceptance unit that accepts, from an applicant, an application intended not to change a software configuration of a device; and a processing unit that denies the application based on the number of times of applications accepted by the acceptance unit.