Workflow Authorization Token Segmentation for Recurring Processes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing systems in data centers face security vulnerabilities as authorization tokens for recurring workflows are not closely tied to the specific workflow, location, and time of execution, allowing unauthorized users to potentially substitute workflows and access sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
Generating an authorization token based on the workflow content, execution location, and time period, which is then sent with a representation of the workflow to a target machine for authorization and execution, ensuring that only the intended workflow is executed at the intended location and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an authorization token is generated without being closely tied to the specific workflow, location, and time, then the authorization process is simpler and more general, but security is weakened allowing unauthorized substitution of workflows
Solution Approach 1:
The authorization token is segmented into multiple distinct components: workflow identifier, location identifier, time period, and approval indicator. This segmentation allows each component to serve a specific security function while maintaining overall token integrity, resolving the contradiction between security and complexity by making the token structure modular and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The authorization token implements local quality by assigning specific properties to specific parts of the token. Each component (workflow ID, location ID, time period) has a defined purpose and validation rule, ensuring that the token is valid only for the specific combination of workflow, location, and time it represents, thereby enhancing security without requiring complete redesign of the entire authorization system
2Reliability
If an authorization token is generated based on workflow content, location, and time period, then security is enhanced preventing unauthorized access, but the authorization mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining the structure and validation rules for authorization tokens before actual workflow execution. The token template and validation logic are established in advance, allowing the system to generate secure tokens on-demand without complex real-time decision-making, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining high security standards
Solution Approach 2:
The authorization token acts as an intermediary that mediates between the workflow request and the authorization system. By encoding all necessary authorization parameters (workflow, location, time) into this single intermediary object, the system simplifies the interaction between components while maintaining comprehensive security checks, resolving the contradiction between security and complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
An approval request for a recurring workflow instance is received, that requests the execution of an instance of a recurring workflow. An authorization token is generated based upon the content of the particular workflow to be executed, the location where the workflow is to be executed, and a time period during which the workflow is to be executed. The authorization token is sent, along with a representation of a workflow to be executed, to a target machine for authorization and execution.