Vulnerability Scan Translation for Unified Cloud Resource Certification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vulnerability scanning systems face inefficiencies due to varied communication protocols and manual certification processes, leading to increased delays and financial burdens in obtaining scan results, especially for machine and container images.
Innovation Solution
An automated process integrates a scanning distribution platform that translates scan requests and results into standardized formats, using a common interface to initiate scans, route them to appropriate operators, and evaluate results, thereby reducing the need for complex code handling multiple protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple vulnerability scanning vendors with different communication protocols are used, then comprehensive vulnerability detection capability is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of integration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized interface layer that acts as an intermediary between diverse vulnerability scanning vendors and the certification system. This interface translates various vendor protocols into a common format, enabling comprehensive vendor support without increasing system complexity. The standardized interface absorbs the complexity of multiple protocols while presenting a uniform abstraction to the rest of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal standardized interface that can handle multiple vulnerability scanning vendors through a single communication protocol. This multi-functional interface design allows the system to work with different vendors (Qualys, Tenable, Rapid7, etc.) without requiring separate integration logic for each vendor, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual certification processes are used, then flexibility in evaluation is improved, but processing time and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated evaluation logic that performs certification assessments immediately upon receiving scan results, eliminating manual processing delays. The system pre-configures evaluation criteria and automatically applies them to scan results, providing flexible yet automated certification that reduces processing time while maintaining evaluation adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes an automated feedback loop where scan results are immediately evaluated against certification criteria, and certification decisions are rapidly communicated back to users. This feedback mechanism maintains evaluation flexibility through configurable criteria while dramatically reducing the time loss associated with manual certification processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If vendor-specific communication formats are used, then compatibility with scanning operators is improved, but data translation overhead and processing delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized data format as an intermediary layer between vendor-specific formats and the certification evaluation system. Scan results from any vendor are translated into this common format, enabling operator compatibility while eliminating the need for multiple translation paths. This single intermediary format improves processing efficiency by standardizing data structure and reducing translation overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms vendor-specific communication parameters into a standardized set of parameters through automatic format conversion. By changing the parameter representation to a universal format, the system maintains compatibility with various scanning operators while improving processing efficiency through consistent data structures that require less complex handling and validation.
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive evaluation of scan results is performed, then certification accuracy is improved, but computational resource utilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the comprehensive evaluation process into distinct, modular evaluation criteria (security standards, compliance requirements, policy checks). Each criterion can be independently evaluated and configured, allowing the system to maintain high certification accuracy through thorough assessment while optimizing resource utilization by enabling selective execution of evaluation segments based on specific certification needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes: receiving a first request to certify a resource for a cloud computing environment, the resource including one or more of: a machine image, a container image, or an infrastructure component; determining one or more matching vulnerability scanning vendors among a plurality of vulnerability scanning vendors based at least in part on one or more properties associated with the first request; transmitting the first request to the one or more matching vulnerability scanning vendors, the one or more matching vulnerability scanning vendors having access to the resource; receiving a first preliminary result associated with the first request from the one or more matching vulnerability scanning vendors; performing a first evaluation of the first preliminary result based on one or more predetermined certification factors; generating a first certification result based on the first evaluation; and transmitting the first certification result to a source of the first request.