Workflow Controller Access Control for Secure Domains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Access management in secure physical and logical domains is challenging as existing systems require manual intervention for maintenance and work tasks, leading to inefficiencies and potential security breaches.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that configures permissions for agents to access protected domains through a workflow controller, interacting with monitoring and security systems to grant necessary access based on work orders, ensuring secure and controlled access for maintenance tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual access management is used for secure domains, then security control is maintained, but efficiency and productivity deteriorate due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service access management where the workflow controller automatically interacts with security systems to grant and revoke access permissions based on work orders, eliminating the need for manual security administrator intervention for each access request
Solution Approach 2:
Access permissions are configured in advance as part of the work order creation process, with the workflow controller pre-authorizing necessary access before maintenance tasks begin, rather than processing access requests reactively
2Measurement precision
If manual permission configuration is required for each access request, then security precision is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow controller merges multiple functions including work order management, access permission configuration, and security system interaction into a single integrated system, eliminating the need for separate manual processes for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow controller serves multiple purposes: managing work orders, configuring access permissions for different security domains, coordinating with multiple security systems, and tracking maintenance tasks, replacing multiple specialized systems with a single multi-functional platform
3Reliability
If extensive manual intervention is used for access management, then security monitoring is improved, but loss of time and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow controller continuously monitors the status of maintenance tasks and automatically adjusts access permissions based on real-time feedback from the security systems and task completion status, enabling dynamic and responsive access management
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous automated monitoring and permission management throughout the maintenance process, eliminating gaps in security oversight that would occur during manual handoffs or transitions between different management processes
4Productivity
If automated workflow control is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow controller acts as an intermediary layer between the work order management system and the security systems, automatically translating maintenance requirements into appropriate access permissions and coordinating with security infrastructure without requiring direct complex integration between all components
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for providing selective access to secure physical and/or logical domains for agents that need to perform work in those domains. A work order will detail work to be performed by one or more agents, such as a technician or software agent, that will need access to protected domains to perform the work, and the tasks requiring agent access to the protected domains are controlled and completion thereof verified. Interaction with a monitoring/security system for the protected physical domains occurs to selectively allow access of the agent to the protected domain(s) as needed for the tasks. Other aspects of the disclosure are described in the detailed description, figures, and claims.