Zero Trust Application Access Using Verified Physical Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zero trust access systems grant access to protected applications based on network trust, which can lead to security risks and data exfiltration from undesired locations, especially with IoT devices, as network location cannot always be validated.
Innovation Solution
Implement location-based zero trust access by retrieving physical location data from various sources and applying preconfigured policy rules to manage access requests, using APIs to PACS databases, Bluetooth, GPS, and wireless triangulation, and signal strengths to enforce granular protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If zero trust access is granted based on network trust, then access to protected applications is enabled, but security risks and data exfiltration from undesired locations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing location-specific access control policies that differentiate between desired and undesired locations. The system retrieves physical location data and applies preconfigured policy rules that are specific to each location, allowing granular control over where access is permitted. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation for authorized locations while enhancing security validation through location-based restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary location validation mechanism that acts as a mediator between the user's network connection and application access. The system retrieves physical location data from external sources and uses this intermediary validation layer to determine whether to grant access, thereby enhancing security without completely blocking legitimate access paths.
2Productivity
If access is granted based on trusted network connection, then application access is enabled, but data exfiltration risk increases from public areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating location-specific security policies that distinguish between safe and unsafe environments. The system retrieves physical location data and applies preconfigured policy rules that are tailored to each location's security characteristics, enabling productivity in authorized locations while mitigating data exfiltration risks in public areas through targeted restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting access permissions based on the physical location parameter. The system retrieves location data and modifies the access state accordingly - granting access when location parameters indicate a trusted environment and denying access when parameters indicate a public or untrusted area, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and security risk.
3Reliability
If location-based access control is implemented, then security is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary location service layer that handles the complexity of location verification externally. The system retrieves physical location data from dedicated location services and uses this intermediary to simplify the access control logic, maintaining reliability through specialized location validation while reducing overall system complexity by offloading location management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by implementing a multi-functional access control system that handles both traditional network authentication and location-based verification through a unified framework. The system retrieves location data and integrates it with existing access control mechanisms, enhancing reliability without proportionally increasing complexity through functional consolidation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances security by ensuring access is granted only based on verified location, reducing risks of data exfiltration and physical attacks on IoT devices, and providing conditional access.
Implementation Method 1
GPS integrations or location services on devices
Implementation Method 2
mobile device tracking solutions using Bluetooth or wireless triangulation methods
Implementation Method 3
The physical location data can include signal strengths associated with Wireless Access Points (WAPs), wherein the steps further include calculating a location of the entity based on the signal strengths
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for location-based zero trust application access. Various embodiments are adapted to make decisions whether to provide access to applications based on location context. The various methods include receiving a request from an entity for access to an application; retrieving physical location data of the entity from one or more sources; determining a policy decision based on the location data and one or more preconfigured policy rules; and managing the request by performing one of allowing or denying access to the requested application based on the policy decision.