Multi-Factor Virtual Machine Identification via Shared Keys and IP Validation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud computing environments face challenges in securely identifying virtual machines without compromising credentials, as previous methods have failed to provide adequate security beyond simple user IDs and passwords.
Innovation Solution
A multi-part security approach is implemented, using a shared private key and additional security factors like IP addresses to validate requests from virtual machines, ensuring secure identification and provisioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple user ID and password authentication is used for instance identification, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication mechanism is segmented into multiple independent factors: instance metadata (identifying the instance), credentials (user authentication), and additional security factors (such as IP addresses or hardware identifiers). Each factor operates independently but collectively provides robust security while maintaining operational simplicity through automated multi-factor verification.
2Reliability
If multi-part security approach with additional security factors is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically collects and verifies additional security factors such as IP addresses, hardware identifiers, and metadata without requiring manual user input. The multi-part security approach is self-executing, where the system autonomously gathers security factors from available system information and performs verification, reducing perceived complexity for users while maintaining high security standards.
3Reliability
If credentials are protected and not compromised, then security is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Instance metadata acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the credential verification process. Instead of directly managing and transmitting sensitive credentials, the system uses metadata (such as instance identifiers, configuration data, and system information) as a secure intermediary that facilitates authentication and authorization without exposing underlying credentials, thereby protecting credential security while maintaining operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention allow for “end-user” provisioned instances to securely identify themselves beyond a simple user ID and password. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention use a multi-part security approach that includes (among other things): an identifying key (e.g., a shared private key) known by the cloud security system and the instance; and at least one additional security factor such as an identifier found in TCP/IP packets (e.g., an internet protocol address). In a typical embodiment, a request for an instance (e.g., a virtual machine) is received, and a template (e.g., an image) corresponding to the requested instance is identified. From this template, the instance is provisioned. Under the embodiments of the present invention, the instance will be provisioned to include a security key. When a request is thereafter received from the instance, the request is validated using the security key and the additional security factor(s).