Trusted Pair Security for DMZ Firewall Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firewalls become overly complex to manage as the number of outward-facing applications grows, leading to human errors and difficulties in deploying or changing applications in a DMZ system architecture, which complicates network security.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for trusted pair security involving a receiver and an initiator that communicate through multiple authentication ports to establish a streaming connection, ensuring secure access to resources while mitigating human error and simplifying management by using a first authentication request on a first port and a second authentication request on a second port, with mutual authentication and error handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional firewall management is used with growing outward-facing applications, then network security coverage is improved, but management complexity becomes intractable and human errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments firewall management by introducing intermediary devices (receivers and initiators) that handle authentication and connection management separately. The receiver component manages incoming connections on behalf of applications, while initiators manage outgoing connections, dividing the complex firewall management task into manageable segments that reduce overall system complexity and human error potential.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces receiver and initiator components as intermediary devices between applications and the firewall. These intermediaries handle authentication requests, port management, and connection establishment, acting as mediators that simplify firewall management by abstracting away the complexity of direct application-to-firewall interactions.
2Reliability
If DMZ system architecture with access restrictions is implemented, then network security is improved, but application deployment and changes become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic port allocation and connection management where receivers and initiators can dynamically open, modify, and close ports based on authentication outcomes. This dynamic approach allows applications to be deployed and modified in the DMZ without requiring static, pre-configured firewall rules, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining security through authenticated connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication actions through receiver-initiator pairs before applications attempt to access resources. By pre-establishing trusted relationships and authentication credentials before deployment, the system simplifies the actual deployment process while maintaining strict access controls in the DMZ environment.
3Reliability
If multiple authentication ports and mutual authentication are implemented, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but authentication process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple authentication mechanisms into a unified receiver-initiator framework. Instead of implementing separate complex authentication systems for each port or connection, the system combines first authentication (port opening), second authentication (mutual verification), and resource access authentication into a single integrated flow managed by receiver-initiator pairs, reducing overall authentication process complexity while maintaining security.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for and method of protecting a resource is presented. The system and method include a trusted pair consisting of an initiator and a receiver. The receiver faces outward and is connected to a network, such as the Internet. The initiator is connected to the protected resource. In establishing a connection between the initiator and the receiver, the initiator initiates all communications. This configuration simplifies environment management, improves security including access controls, and facilitates deployment of internet-facing resources by changing the traditional model of component-to-component connection.