Virtual Asset Agent Self-Repair via Trusted Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cloud computing environments, virtual assets are vulnerable to security threats due to unknown vulnerabilities at creation, making detection and response challenging, and malicious entities can control or shut down communication channels, rendering traditional security measures ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that employs a virtual asset agent to monitor and self-repair by creating a new virtual asset with the agent and associated data, using secure communication channels to transfer secrets and security updates, thereby protecting and repairing the asset from potential security threats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional communication channels are used for monitoring and repairing virtual assets, then the system is simple to operate, but the security reliability deteriorates when malicious entities control these channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trusted communication channel as an intermediary between the virtual asset management system and the virtual asset agent. This mediator channel, established through secure protocols like TLS or IPSec, protects communications from malicious entities controlling normal channels, thereby improving security reliability without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The communication infrastructure is segmented into two distinct channels: normal communication channels for routine operations and trusted communication channels for security-critical operations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity for everyday use while ensuring reliability for security functions through dedicated protected pathways
2Measurement precision
If security updates are transmitted through normal communication channels, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the measurement precision of security threat detection deteriorates due to channel compromise
Solution Approach 1:
A trusted communication channel acts as an intermediary for transmitting security updates and threat detection data. This mediator ensures that updates reach the virtual asset agent without interception or manipulation by malicious entities, maintaining detection accuracy while preserving ease of operation through automated update mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system preemptively establishes trusted communication channels before security threats can compromise normal channels. By setting up secure pathways in advance for update transmission and threat reporting, the system ensures accurate threat detection without requiring complex real-time verification procedures
3Reliability
If the virtual asset agent continuously monitors for security threats, then the reliability of threat detection improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual asset agent performs security monitoring through periodic scans and event-driven triggers rather than continuous analysis. This periodic action maintains reliable threat detection by checking at regular intervals and responding to specific security events, while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to constant monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual asset agent autonomously manages its own security monitoring, using lightweight agents and efficient algorithms that minimize resource consumption. The agent self-regulates its monitoring intensity based on threat levels and system state, maintaining reliable detection while optimizing energy usage without requiring external control
4Reliability
If a new virtual asset is created to replace a compromised asset, then the security reliability improves, but the loss of time increases due to recreation and data transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining ready-to-use templates and configurations for virtual assets. When compromise is detected, pre-prepared replacement assets can be rapidly instantiated with essential configurations already in place, significantly reducing the time required for asset recreation while ensuring security reliability through the use of hardened templates
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for protecting and repairing a current virtual asset from damage by potential security threats, according to one embodiment. The method and system include monitoring a current a current virtual asset for potential security threats, with a virtual asset agent, according to one embodiment. The method and system include determining a severity of the potential security threats that are identified by the virtual asset agent, according to one embodiment. The method and system include creating a new virtual asset with the virtual asset agent and decommissioning the current virtual asset, according to one embodiment. The system and method receiving, with the new virtual asset, secrets that are associated with the current virtual asset to enable the new virtual asset to continue operations of the current virtual asset, according to one embodiment.