Time Zone Risk Assessment for Electronic Communication Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current authentication methods are vulnerable to fraud and cyber-attacks, particularly from foreign-based individuals using proxy servers, as they fail to accurately determine the risk level and may deter legitimate users with overly complex processes or increase fraudulent activity with insufficient security.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize time zone data to detect and assess the risk of electronic communications by comparing the time zone of a user device with that of a proxy server, adjusting the authentication level accordingly, and requesting additional authentication if a mismatch is detected, thereby enhancing security and reducing processing power and memory consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional authentication methods (username/password, out-of-band codes) are used, then users can access the system, but the system remains vulnerable to fraud and cyber-attacks from foreign-based individuals using proxy servers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary risk assessment by comparing time zone data before allowing authentication to proceed. By extracting and comparing time zone information from browser data and network address data in advance, the system can identify suspicious communications from foreign-based proxy servers before they attempt to compromise security, thereby preventing fraudulent access attempts
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the risk assessment result directly influences the authentication process. When a time zone mismatch is detected indicating potential proxy server usage, the system responds by requiring enhanced authentication measures, creating a closed-loop security system that adapts to detected threats
2Reliability
If enhanced authentication levels are required for all users, then security against fraud improves, but legitimate users are deterred by overly involved authentication processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different authentication requirements to different users based on their risk profile. By analyzing time zone data locally for each communication, the system determines whether enhanced authentication is necessary, allowing legitimate users with matching time zones to experience simple authentication while only suspicious users with mismatches face enhanced security measures
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies enhanced authentication only partially - specifically to cases where time zone mismatch indicates potential proxy server usage. Rather than requiring complex authentication for all users, the system applies additional security measures only where needed, minimizing impact on legitimate users while maintaining strong security against fraudulent attempts
3Ease of operation
If simple authentication processes are used, then user convenience is maintained, but the risk of fraudulent activity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary time zone analysis before authentication to identify high-risk communications. By extracting and comparing time zone data from browser and network address information in advance, the system can proactively identify suspicious proxy server usage and prepare appropriate security responses, preventing fraud before simple authentication processes are exploited
Data Source
AI summary
A network interface device can (i) detect electronic communications from a telecommunications network; (ii) extract an access request for protected data; and (iii) extract browser information about a browser on a user device used by a user to initiate the access request. The access request can include a network address of a device from which the electronic communications were transmitted. The browser information can indicate a time zone associated with the browser. The network address and the browser information can be independent of data about the user and of data transmitted from the network interface device. The network address and stored data about network addresses can be used to determine a time zone for the device. A result of comparing the time zones can be used to determine a level of authentication to require before allowing the protected data to be transmitted to the user device.