Zone-Based Access Control for Web Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Administrators of web services face difficulties in easily and efficiently changing access control policies without altering application runtime or configuration, due to complex and unintuitive formats, leading to inefficient and insecure access control configurations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for zone access control that identifies a security token provider for a web service request, compares it to trusted token providers, and denies or permits the request based on matching, allowing for granular authorization mechanisms without adding complex authorization logic to code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex access control policies are implemented using current solutions, then security is improved, but the complexity of configuration and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments access control policies into zone-based configurations, where administrators can define separate access rules for different zones (e.g., public, private, restricted) rather than managing complex global policies. This segmentation simplifies configuration by breaking down the overall access control system into manageable, independent zone units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that automatically translates high-level zone access rules into detailed access control decisions. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of policy evaluation and enforcement, shielding administrators from the underlying complexity while maintaining strong security controls.
2Adaptability or versatility
If administrators directly alter application runtime or configuration to change access control policies, then policy flexibility is improved, but the risk of errors and security vulnerabilities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically manages access control policy updates through zone configurations. Administrators simply define zone access rules without directly modifying application runtime or configuration code. The system self-adapts by automatically applying these zone-based rules, eliminating manual intervention risks while maintaining policy flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent requires administrators to pre-define zone configurations and access rules before they are applied to the application. This preliminary configuration phase separates policy definition from policy execution, allowing administrators to review and validate their access control rules before they are automatically enforced, thereby preventing errors and security vulnerabilities.
3Reliability
If current access control solutions are used, then security enforcement is improved, but the ease of operation and configuration decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of access control configuration from complex policy syntax to simple zone-based parameters. Instead of writing intricate access control rules, administrators only need to specify which zones should be accessible to which users or roles. This parameter simplification dramatically improves ease of operation while the underlying system maintains strong security enforcement through automated zone rule validation and enforcement.
Data Source
AI summary
In some example embodiments, a method comprises receiving a web service request for accessing a resource of a web service, with the web service request corresponding to a user and comprising an access token, identifying a zone for the web service request, identifying a security token provider based on the access token, identifying one or more trusted token providers for the zone, comparing the security token provider to the trusted token provider(s) for the zone, generating a determination that the security token provider does not match any of the trusted token provider(s) for the zone, and denying the web service request based on the determination that the security token provider does not match any of the trusted token provider(s) for the zone.