Unified Security Gateway for Endpoint Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security management systems for endpoint computing devices face challenges such as software conflicts, performance degradation, and high operational costs due to the deployment of multiple defense and immunization functions from different vendors, leading to complex management and increased total-cost-of-ownership (TCO) and low return-on-investment (ROI). Additionally, residential users lack adequate security protection and face difficulties in managing passwords and subscribing to security services.
Innovation Solution
A unified security management system comprising a Security Utility Blade (SUB) that runs its own operating system, resides in or near endpoints, and forms a unified management zone (UMZ) to centralize security operations, allowing for the integration of multiple security functions from various vendors without direct access to endpoints, enabling automated and homogeneous security management, unified subscription, and billing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple defense and immunization functions from different vendors are deployed on endpoint computing systems, then security coverage is improved, but device complexity and management complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple security vendors and the endpoint computing system. The gateway provides a unified interface for deploying, managing, and coordinating security functions from different vendors, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining comprehensive security coverage. The gateway handles vendor-specific protocols and translates them into standardized operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway is designed as a universal platform that can interface with multiple different security vendors and manage diverse security functions (defense and immunization) through a single unified interface. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain comprehensive security coverage while simplifying management operations through standardized procedures.
2Reliability
If multiple security software modules are installed in each host, then security protection is enhanced, but software conflicts and performance degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an intermediary that coordinates multiple security software modules, managing their execution and resource allocation. By centralizing the coordination function in the gateway rather than having multiple vendors' software directly interact with the host, the system reduces software conflicts and minimizes performance degradation while maintaining enhanced security protection.
3Reliability
If conventional security management systems are deployed, then security functions are provided, but total-cost-of-ownership increases and return-on-investment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple vendor-specific management interfaces and operations into a single unified gateway platform. This consolidation combines previously separate management tasks into integrated operations, reducing operational complexity and lowering total-cost-of-ownership while maintaining comprehensive security function coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway provides universal management capabilities that can handle security functions from multiple vendors through a single interface, eliminating the need for separate management systems for each vendor. This multi-functionality reduces operational complexity and improves return-on-investment by streamlining security management operations.
4Reliability
If security management systems have direct access to endpoints, then security control is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a secure intermediary between security management systems and endpoint devices. It provides the necessary security control capabilities while acting as a protective buffer that prevents direct exposure of endpoints to potential security vulnerabilities in vendor management systems. The gateway authenticates and authorizes access requests before forwarding them to endpoints.
Data Source
AI summary
A unified security management system and related apparatus and methods for protecting endpoint computing systems and managing, providing, and obtaining security functions is described. Various forms of the system, apparatus and methods may be used for improved security, security provisioning, security management, and security infrastructure.