Tunnel Client Authentication for Device Compliance Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single sign-on processes through identity providers do not adequately verify if a client device is compliant with enterprise rules during user authentication, leaving devices potentially compromised despite successful user authentication.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) and VPN configurations to authenticate users and assess device compliance by routing authentication requests through a tunnel client, which embeds device identification parameters and certificates, allowing an identity provider to verify device compliance with enterprise policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If single sign-on authentication is implemented through an identity provider, then user authentication is simplified and automated, but device compliance verification is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an authentication proxy as an intermediary component between the identity provider and the application service. This proxy intercepts authentication requests, extracts device identification parameters, and performs additional device compliance verification before allowing the authentication to proceed. The intermediary enables both automated user authentication and device compliance checking to coexist by adding a verification layer without breaking the SSO flow.
2Reliability
If device compliance checking is added to the authentication process, then device security is improved, but authentication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication proxy automatically performs device compliance verification by extracting device identification parameters from the authentication request itself and querying the management service for compliance status. The system self-services the compliance checking process without requiring additional manual steps or user actions, thereby maintaining simplicity while enhancing security verification.
3Measurement precision
If device identification parameters are embedded in authentication requests, then device verification capability is enhanced, but information processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication proxy extracts only the necessary device identification parameters from the authentication request for compliance verification, rather than processing or storing the entire request. This selective extraction approach enables precise device identification while minimizing information processing overhead by focusing only on the critical parameters needed for compliance checking.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are various approaches for providing authentication of a user and a client device. A user's credentials can be authenticated by an identity provider. In addition, a device posture assessment that analyzes the device from which the authentication request originates is also performed. An authentication request can be authenticated based upon whether the device posture assessment reveals that device to be a managed device that is in compliance with compliance rules.