Virtual Private Interface for Secure S3 Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for establishing a dedicated network connection between on-premises networks and AWS S3 buckets, such as AWS Direct Connect, lack access control mechanisms, allowing data leakage from company accounts to personal accounts.
Innovation Solution
A secure exchange system that includes secure data transfer logic on on-premises computing devices and gateways within a virtual private cloud (VPC), which uses load balancing logic to select a gateway for secure data transfers between on-premises devices and S3 buckets, thereby providing controlled access and preventing data leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a public virtual interface is used to advertise the entire S3 public address range to on-premises users, then data transfer speed and accessibility are improved, but access control is lost and data leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual private interface (VPI) as an intermediary between on-premises users and S3 buckets. The VPI acts as a controlled gateway that routes traffic through a virtual private cloud (VPC) endpoint, enabling high-speed data transfer while maintaining access control. This intermediary structure allows the system to enjoy the speed benefits of Direct Connect while preventing direct access to the entire S3 address range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network connection into multiple controlled interfaces: a public virtual interface for general access and virtual private interfaces for controlled access to specific S3 buckets. Each VPI is associated with a specific VPC endpoint and can be configured to access only designated S3 buckets, thereby segmenting the previously monolithic public interface into controlled, isolated access paths.
2Ease of operation
If direct access to S3 buckets is allowed without access control mechanisms, then ease of operation is improved, but security and compliance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring virtual private interfaces with specific access permissions before data transfer operations. Administrators can define which on-premises users or groups can access which S3 buckets through VPIs, establishing access control policies in advance. This allows users to operate with ease within the defined permissions while security is maintained through the pre-established access control structure.
3Reliability
If access control mechanisms are implemented to prevent data leakage, then data security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the virtual private interface a universal component that handles multiple functions: it serves as a network gateway, an access control point, a routing interface, and a security boundary. By consolidating these functions into a single VPI construct, the system achieves comprehensive security and control without proportionally increasing complexity. The VPC endpoint similarly provides multi-functional service as a network interface, routing, and access control mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a secure exchange system is described. The secure exchange system includes a virtual private cloud network and a controller. The virtual private cloud network includes a plurality of gateways, each gateway of the plurality of gateways is configured to generate one or more local directories. Each local directory of the one or more local directories representing one or more stored objects within a public cloud storage element. The controller is configured to authenticate a user prior to granting the user access to the virtual private cloud network. The gateways are accessible by the user over AWS Direct Connect, where the public cloud storage element is a S3 bucket.