Virtual Machine Shared Secret Authentication for Backup Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to control access to data backups in computing systems, particularly within virtual machine environments, to prevent unauthorized access by restricting access to administrators and other users, ensuring the integrity and security of critical data.
Innovation Solution
An authentication process using a shared secret is implemented, where users can obtain and submit the secret for validation by an authentication authority, ensuring only permissible users, such as administrators, gain access to restricted data, with an optional validation of user credentials for added security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional authentication methods (passwords, credentials) are used to control access to backup data, then access security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates because administrators must remember and store authentication information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication information from the administrator's memory burden and stores it securely within the virtual machine environment. The shared secret is embedded in the VM's configuration or metadata, allowing administrators to authenticate without remembering passwords while maintaining security through controlled access to the backup data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a shared secret as an intermediary authentication mechanism between the administrator and the backup data. This shared secret serves as a mediator that enables authentication without requiring administrators to directly manage or remember complex credentials, thus improving both security and convenience.
2Reliability
If access to backup data is restricted to administrators only, then data security is improved, but system accessibility deteriorates because legitimate users with need-to-know access are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different access rights to different users based on their roles and needs. Instead of a uniform restriction policy, the system grants administrator-level access to the shared secret only to those with appropriate credentials, while allowing other legitimate users to access backup data through controlled mechanisms, thus balancing security with accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic access control where authentication requirements and permission levels can change based on user identity, context, and security policies. This allows the system to adaptively grant or deny access to backup data and shared secrets based on real-time security assessments, maintaining both security and accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If shared secret authentication is implemented without credential validation, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates because unauthorized users may gain access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary validation of user credentials before granting access to the shared secret or backup data. Authentication authorities verify user identities and permissions in advance, ensuring that only authorized users can proceed with the authentication process. This preliminary check maintains security while keeping the actual authentication process simple for legitimate users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where authentication authorities provide real-time verification of credentials and grant or deny access based on validated information. This feedback loop ensures that shared secret authentication remains secure by continuously verifying user legitimacy while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a method for validating a user includes transmitting, to a management server, a request for a shared secret, and receiving, from the management server, the shared secret. Next, the shared secret received from the management server is compared to a secret identified in a user request for access to a backup of data associated with a computing device. The user is granted access to the backup when the shared secret identified by the user matches the shared secret obtained from the management server, and the user is denied access to the backup when the shared secret identified by the user does not match the shared secret obtained from the management server.