Token-Based Access Control for Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining up-to-date access controls in dynamic network environments is challenging due to frequent changes in IP address ranges and authorized user bases, leading to interruptions in service access for authorized users.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with a policy module that maintains both non-limited and limited access policies, where limited access policies provide temporary access with expiration values, allowing for flexible and customized access schemes, and enabling administrators to update non-limited policies without interrupting service access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access controls are conditioned on IP addresses, then security is improved, but service continuity deteriorates when IP addresses change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control by transitioning from static IP-based policies to token-based authentication. The authorization server issues access tokens that dynamically validate user identity without relying on fixed IP addresses, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an authorization server as an intermediary component between clients and resources. This server manages access tokens and validates authentication, decoupling the access control mechanism from direct IP address checking and enabling more flexible, continuous access for authorized users.
2Reliability
If access control policies are frequently updated, then security is improved, but service interruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the authorization server issue access tokens in advance to authorized clients. These tokens contain authentication information that allows clients to access resources without requiring real-time policy verification, enabling policy updates without immediate service interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing token-based authentication that remains valid throughout its expiration period. Clients can continue accessing resources using their tokens even while backend access control policies are being updated, maintaining uninterrupted service for authorized users.
3Reliability
If strict access control is implemented, then security is improved, but system flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control by transitioning from static IP-based policies to token-based authentication. The authorization server issues access tokens that dynamically validate user identity without relying on fixed IP addresses, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of access control from network-layer IP address matching to application-layer token validation. This parameter change enables more flexible authentication mechanisms while maintaining or improving security, as tokens can be issued based on comprehensive identity verification rather than simple network location.
Data Source
AI summary
The current document discloses systems and methods that implement access controls for service providers. When a client requests access to a service provider, but does not satisfy the conditions for non-limited access, the service provider provides limited access to the services based at least in part on a limited access policy. The limited access policy establishes a limitation that defines when the limited access to the service provider expires. In some implementations, the service provider issues a signed access token to the client, and the access token includes an expiration value that is updated when service requests are processed. When the access token expires, access to the service is terminated.