Patent Publication Number: US-11379596-B2

Title: Method and system for ensuring authentication compatibility

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     This technology generally relates to methods and systems for providing an authentication with respect to an interaction between an application and a database, and more particularly, to methods and systems for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication protocol remains effective when a new authentication protocol is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of the interaction. 
     2. Background Information 
     For most applications, there is a need to access data from a data repository, such as a memory, a database, or a data warehouse or data store that includes many component databases. When an application and/or a user needs to access data that is available in a data store, an access request may be effected by the submission of a data access request. Such a request typically must be authenticated for security purposes, i.e., in order to verify that the requestor has a valid permission to access the desired data. This authentication is performed by applying an authentication method or authentication protocol to the data access request when received by the data store. 
     New authentication methods and protocols are often introduced as the corresponding technology becomes more secure and effective. However, there is often a lag in the availability of support for such new authentication methods and protocols. This delay may require older and less secure authentication methods to remain available in the environment. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a bridging solution to ensure that a current authentication method or protocol remains effective when a new authentication method or protocol is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction, in order to enable the requesting application and the underlying data store to switch authentication methods and protocols independently and thereby facilitating a faster and smoother introduction of more secure authentication methods and protocols. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure, through one or more of its various aspects, embodiments, and/or specific features or sub-components, provides, inter alia, various systems, servers, devices, methods, media, programs, and platforms for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for authenticating a request for access to a database is provided. The method is implemented by at least one processor. The method includes: receiving, from an application by the at least one processor, a first request for data that is accessible via a database, the first request including first authentication information for validating that the application has permission to access the requested data; determining, by the at least one processor, a first authentication protocol that is currently implemented by the application, a second authentication protocol that is currently implemented by the database, and whether the first authentication protocol is a same protocol as the second authentication protocol; using, by the at least one processor, the first authentication information to authenticate the first request for data; and when the first request has been authenticated, transmitting the authenticated first request and information that indicates that the first request has been authenticated to a first server configured to retrieve data from the database. 
     When the first authentication protocol is determined as being the same protocol as the second authentication protocol, the using of the first authentication information to authenticate the first request for data may include: inputting the first authentication information into the first authentication protocol; determining, based on an output of the first authentication protocol, whether the application has a valid permission to access the requested data; and when the application is determined as having the valid permission, using the output of the first authentication protocol as the information that indicates that the first request has been authenticated. 
     When the first authentication protocol is determined as not being the same protocol as the second authentication protocol, the using of the first authentication information to authenticate the first request for data may include: inputting the first authentication information into the first authentication protocol; determining, based on an output of the first authentication protocol, whether the application has a valid permission to access the requested data; when the application is determined as having the valid permission, converting the first authentication information into second authentication information that is usable by the second authentication protocol for validating the first request; inputting the second authentication information into the second authentication protocol; and receiving the information that indicates that the first request has been authenticated as an output of the second authentication protocol. 
     Wherein when the first authentication protocol is determined as not being the same protocol as the second authentication protocol, the method may further include: determining whether the first authentication protocol is a newer protocol than the second authentication protocol, or whether the second authentication protocol is a newer protocol than the first authentication protocol; when the first authentication protocol is determined as being a newer protocol than the second authentication protocol, transmitting, to the first server, a notification message indicating that the application has implemented the first authentication protocol; and when the second authentication protocol is determined as being a newer protocol than the first authentication protocol, transmitting, to the application, a notification message indicating that the database has implemented the second authentication protocol. 
     The method may further include storing at least one metadata item that relates to the first request in a historical database access data repository. 
     The method may further include determining whether the first request includes a query that is potentially harmful to the database, and when the first request is determined as including a query that is potentially harmful, transmitting a warning message to the application. 
     The determining of whether the first request includes a query that is potentially harmful to the database may include determining whether granting the first request would cause at least one from among exceeding a threshold amount of memory consumption and exceeding a threshold amount of central processing unit (CPU) resources consumption. 
     The first authentication information may include at least one from among a password, a username-password pair, and an encryption key. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a computing apparatus for authenticating a request for access to a database is provided. The computing apparatus includes a processor, a memory, and a communication interface coupled to each of the processor and the memory. The processor is configured to: receive, from an application via the communication interface, a first request for data that is accessible via a database, the first request including first authentication information for validating that the application has permission to access the requested data; determine a first authentication protocol that is currently implemented by the application, a second authentication protocol that is currently implemented by the database, and whether the first authentication protocol is a same protocol as the second authentication protocol; use the first authentication information to authenticate the first request for data; and when the first request has been authenticated, transmit, via the communication interface to a first server configured to retrieve data from the database, the authenticated first request and information that indicates that the first request has been authenticated. 
     When the first authentication protocol is determined as being the same protocol as the second authentication protocol, the processor may be further configured to: input the first authentication information into the first authentication protocol; determine, based on an output of the first authentication protocol, whether the application has a valid permission to access the requested data; and when the application is determined as having the valid permission, use the output of the first authentication protocol as the information that indicates that the first request has been authenticated. 
     When the first authentication protocol is determined as not being the same protocol as the second authentication protocol, the processor may be further configured to: input the first authentication information into the first authentication protocol; determine, based on an output of the first authentication protocol, whether the application has a valid permission to access the requested data; when the application is determined as having the valid permission, convert the first authentication information into second authentication information that is usable by the second authentication protocol for validating the first request; input the second authentication information into the second authentication protocol; and receive the information that indicates that the first request has been authenticated as an output of the second authentication protocol. 
     When the first authentication protocol is determined as not being the same protocol as the second authentication protocol, the processor may be further configured to: determine whether the first authentication protocol is a newer protocol than the second authentication protocol, or whether the second authentication protocol is a newer protocol than the first authentication protocol; when the first authentication protocol is determined as being a newer protocol than the second authentication protocol, transmit, to the first server via the communication interface, a notification message indicating that the application has implemented the first authentication protocol; and when the second authentication protocol is determined as being a newer protocol than the first authentication protocol, transmit, to the application via the communication interface, a notification message indicating that the database has implemented the second authentication protocol. 
     The processor may be further configured to store at least one metadata item that relates to the first request in a historical database access data repository. 
     The processor may be further configured to determine whether the first request includes a query that is potentially harmful to the database, and when the first request is determined as including a query that is potentially harmful, transmit a warning message to the application via the communication interface. 
     The processor may be further configured to determine whether granting the first request would cause at least one from among exceeding a threshold amount of memory consumption and exceeding a threshold amount of central processing unit (CPU) resources consumption. 
     The first authentication information may include at least one from among a password, a username-password pair, and an encryption key. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings, by way of non-limiting examples of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, in which like characters represent like elements throughout the several views of the drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary computer system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary diagram of a network environment. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary system for implementing a method for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an exemplary process for implementing a method for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Through one or more of its various aspects, embodiments and/or specific features or sub-components of the present disclosure, are intended to bring out one or more of the advantages as specifically described above and noted below. 
     The examples may also be embodied as one or more non-transitory computer readable media having instructions stored thereon for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated by way of the examples herein. The instructions in some examples include executable code that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to carry out steps necessary to implement the methods of the examples of this technology that are described and illustrated herein. 
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary system for use in accordance with the embodiments described herein. The system  100  is generally shown and may include a computer system  102 , which is generally indicated. 
     The computer system  102  may include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system  102  to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein, either alone or in combination with the other described devices. The computer system  102  may operate as a standalone device or may be connected to other systems or peripheral devices. For example, the computer system  102  may include, or be included within, any one or more computers, servers, systems, communication networks or cloud environment. Even further, the instructions may be operative in such cloud-based computing environment. 
     In a networked deployment, the computer system  102  may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, a client user computer in a cloud computing environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system  102 , or portions thereof, may be implemented as, or incorporated into, various devices, such as a personal computer, a tablet computer, a set-top box, a personal digital assistant, a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless smart phone, a personal trusted device, a wearable device, a global positioning satellite (GPS) device, a web appliance, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while a single computer system  102  is illustrated, additional embodiments may include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute instructions or perform functions. The term “system” shall be taken throughout the present disclosure to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the computer system  102  may include at least one processor  104 . The processor  104  is tangible and non-transitory. As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for a period of time. The term “non-transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such as characteristics of a particular carrier wave or signal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at any time. The processor  104  is an article of manufacture and/or a machine component. The processor  104  is configured to execute software instructions in order to perform functions as described in the various embodiments herein. The processor  104  may be a general purpose processor or may be part of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor  104  may also be a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor chip, a controller, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a state machine, or a programmable logic device. The processor  104  may also be a logical circuit, including a programmable gate array (PGA) such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another type of circuit that includes discrete gate and/or transistor logic. The processor  104  may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Additionally, any processor described herein may include multiple processors, parallel processors, or both. Multiple processors may be included in, or coupled to, a single device or multiple devices. 
     The computer system  102  may also include a computer memory  106 . The computer memory  106  may include a static memory, a dynamic memory, or both in communication. Memories described herein are tangible storage mediums that can store data and executable instructions, and are non-transitory during the time instructions are stored therein. Again, as used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for a period of time. The term “non-transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such as characteristics of a particular carrier wave or signal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at any time. The memories are an article of manufacture and/or machine component. Memories described herein are computer-readable mediums from which data and executable instructions can be read by a computer. Memories as described herein may be random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a cache, a removable disk, tape, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), floppy disk, blu-ray disk, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Memories may be volatile or non-volatile, secure and/or encrypted, unsecure and/or unencrypted. Of course, the computer memory  106  may comprise any combination of memories or a single storage. 
     The computer system  102  may further include a display  108 , such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma display, or any other type of display, examples of which are well known to skilled persons. 
     The computer system  102  may also include at least one input device  110 , such as a keyboard, a touch-sensitive input screen or pad, a speech input, a mouse, a remote control device having a wireless keypad, a microphone coupled to a speech recognition engine, a camera such as a video camera or still camera, a cursor control device, a global positioning system (GPS) device, an altimeter, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, or any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art appreciate that various embodiments of the computer system  102  may include multiple input devices  110 . Moreover, those skilled in the art further appreciate that the above-listed, exemplary input devices  110  are not meant to be exhaustive and that the computer system  102  may include any additional, or alternative, input devices  110 . 
     The computer system  102  may also include a medium reader  112  which is configured to read any one or more sets of instructions, e.g. software, from any of the memories described herein. The instructions, when executed by a processor, can be used to perform one or more of the methods and processes as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions may reside completely, or at least partially, within the memory  106 , the medium reader  112 , and/or the processor  110  during execution by the computer system  102 . 
     Furthermore, the computer system  102  may include any additional devices, components, parts, peripherals, hardware, software or any combination thereof which are commonly known and understood as being included with or within a computer system, such as, but not limited to, a network interface  114  and an output device  116 . The output device  116  may be, but is not limited to, a speaker, an audio out, a video out, a remote control output, a printer, or any combination thereof. 
     Each of the components of the computer system  102  may be interconnected and communicate via a bus  118  or other communication link. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the components may each be interconnected and communicate via an internal bus. However, those skilled in the art appreciate that any of the components may also be connected via an expansion bus. Moreover, the bus  118  may enable communication via any standard or other specification commonly known and understood such as, but not limited to, peripheral component interconnect, peripheral component interconnect express, parallel advanced technology attachment, serial advanced technology attachment, etc. 
     The computer system  102  may be in communication with one or more additional computer devices  120  via a network  122 . The network  122  may be, but is not limited to, a local area network, a wide area network, the Internet, a telephony network, a short-range network, or any other network commonly known and understood in the art. The short-range network may include, for example, Bluetooth, Zigbee, infrared, near field communication, ultraband, or any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art appreciate that additional networks  122  which are known and understood may additionally or alternatively be used and that the exemplary networks  122  are not limiting or exhaustive. Also, while the network  122  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a wireless network, those skilled in the art appreciate that the network  122  may also be a wired network. 
     The additional computer device  120  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a personal computer. However, those skilled in the art appreciate that, in alternative embodiments of the present application, the computer device  120  may be a laptop computer, a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant, a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a server, or any other device that is capable of executing a set of instructions, sequential or otherwise, that specify actions to be taken by that device. Of course, those skilled in the art appreciate that the above-listed devices are merely exemplary devices and that the device  120  may be any additional device or apparatus commonly known and understood in the art without departing from the scope of the present application. For example, the computer device  120  may be the same or similar to the computer system  102 . Furthermore, those skilled in the art similarly understand that the device may be any combination of devices and apparatuses. 
     Of course, those skilled in the art appreciate that the above-listed components of the computer system  102  are merely meant to be exemplary and are not intended to be exhaustive and/or inclusive. Furthermore, the examples of the components listed above are also meant to be exemplary and similarly are not meant to be exhaustive and/or inclusive. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented using a hardware computer system that executes software programs. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein, and a processor described herein may be used to support a virtual processing environment. 
     As described herein, various embodiments provide optimized methods and systems for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a schematic of an exemplary network environment  200  for implementing a method for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database is illustrated. In an exemplary embodiment, the method is executable on any networked computer platform, such as, for example, a personal computer (PC). 
     The method for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database may be implemented by an Authentication Bridge (AB) device  202 . The AB device  202  may be the same or similar to the computer system  102  as described with respect to  FIG. 1 . The AB device  202  may store one or more applications that can include executable instructions that, when executed by the AB device  202 , cause the AB device  202  to perform actions, such as to transmit, receive, or otherwise process network messages, for example, and to perform other actions described and illustrated below with reference to the figures. The application(s) may be implemented as modules or components of other applications. Further, the application(s) can be implemented as operating system extensions, modules, plugins, or the like. 
     Even further, the application(s) may be operative in a cloud-based computing environment. The application(s) may be executed within or as virtual machine(s) or virtual server(s) that may be managed in a cloud-based computing environment. Also, the application(s), and even the AB device  202  itself, may be located in virtual server(s) running in a cloud-based computing environment rather than being tied to one or more specific physical network computing devices. Also, the application(s) may be running in one or more virtual machines (VMs) executing on the AB device  202 . Additionally, in one or more embodiments of this technology, virtual machine(s) running on the AB device  202  may be managed or supervised by a hypervisor. 
     In the network environment  200  of  FIG. 2 , the AB device  202  is coupled to a plurality of server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) that hosts a plurality of databases  206 ( 1 )- 206 ( n ), and also to a plurality of client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ) via communication network(s)  210 . A communication interface of the AB device  202 , such as the network interface  114  of the computer system  102  of  FIG. 1 , operatively couples and communicates between the AB device  202 , the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ), and/or the client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ), which are all coupled together by the communication network(s)  210 , although other types and/or numbers of communication networks or systems with other types and/or numbers of connections and/or configurations to other devices and/or elements may also be used. 
     The communication network(s)  210  may be the same or similar to the network  122  as described with respect to  FIG. 1 , although the AB device  202 , the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ), and/or the client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ) may be coupled together via other topologies. Additionally, the network environment  200  may include other network devices such as one or more routers and/or switches, for example, which are well known in the art and thus will not be described herein. This technology provides a number of advantages including methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and DSG devices that efficiently implement a method for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database. 
     By way of example only, the communication network(s)  210  may include local area network(s) (LAN(s)) or wide area network(s) (WAN(s)), and can use TCP/IP over Ethernet and industry-standard protocols, although other types and/or numbers of protocols and/or communication networks may be used. The communication network(s)  210  in this example may employ any suitable interface mechanisms and network communication technologies including, for example, teletraffic in any suitable form (e.g., voice, modem, and the like), Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTNs), Ethernet-based Packet Data Networks (PDNs), combinations thereof, and the like. 
     The AB device  202  may be a standalone device or integrated with one or more other devices or apparatuses, such as one or more of the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ), for example. In one particular example, the AB device  202  may include or be hosted by one of the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ), and other arrangements are also possible. Moreover, one or more of the devices of the AB device  202  may be in a same or a different communication network including one or more public, private, or cloud networks, for example. 
     The plurality of server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) may be the same or similar to the computer system  102  or the computer device  120  as described with respect to  FIG. 1 , including any features or combination of features described with respect thereto. For example, any of the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) may include, among other features, one or more processors, a memory, and a communication interface, which are coupled together by a bus or other communication link, although other numbers and/or types of network devices may be used. The server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) in this example may process requests received from the AB device  202  via the communication network(s)  210  according to the HTTP-based and/or JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) protocol, for example, although other protocols may also be used. 
     The server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) may be hardware or software or may represent a system with multiple servers in a pool, which may include internal or external networks. The server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) host the databases  206 ( 1 )- 206 ( n ) that are configured to store data that relates to authentication methods and protocols and application-specific authentication data for verifying that an application has a valid permission with respect to a data access request. 
     Although the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) are illustrated as single devices, one or more actions of each of the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) may be distributed across one or more distinct network computing devices that together comprise one or more of the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ). Moreover, the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) are not limited to a particular configuration. Thus, the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) may contain a plurality of network computing devices that operate using a master/slave approach, whereby one of the network computing devices of the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) operates to manage and/or otherwise coordinate operations of the other network computing devices. 
     The server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ) may operate as a plurality of network computing devices within a cluster architecture, a peer-to peer architecture, virtual machines, or within a cloud architecture, for example. Thus, the technology disclosed herein is not to be construed as being limited to a single environment and other configurations and architectures are also envisaged. 
     The plurality of client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ) may also be the same or similar to the computer system  102  or the computer device  120  as described with respect to  FIG. 1 , including any features or combination of features described with respect thereto. For example, the client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ) in this example may include any type of computing device that can interact with the AB device  202  via communication network(s)  210 . Accordingly, the client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ) may be mobile computing devices, desktop computing devices, laptop computing devices, tablet computing devices, virtual machines (including cloud-based computers), or the like, that host chat, e-mail, or voice-to-text applications, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one client device  208  is a wireless mobile communication device, i.e., a smart phone. 
     The client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ) may run interface applications, such as standard web browsers or standalone client applications, which may provide an interface to communicate with the AB device  202  via the communication network(s)  210  in order to communicate user requests and information. The client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ) may further include, among other features, a display device, such as a display screen or touchscreen, and/or an input device, such as a keyboard, for example. 
     Although the exemplary network environment  200  with the AB device  202 , the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ), the client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ), and the communication network(s)  210  are described and illustrated herein, other types and/or numbers of systems, devices, components, and/or elements in other topologies may be used. It is to be understood that the systems of the examples described herein are for exemplary purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware and software used to implement the examples are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s). 
     One or more of the devices depicted in the network environment  200 , such as the AB device  202 , the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ), or the client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ), for example, may be configured to operate as virtual instances on the same physical machine. In other words, one or more of the AB device  202 , the server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ), or the client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ) may operate on the same physical device rather than as separate devices communicating through communication network(s)  210 . Additionally, there may be more or fewer AB devices  202 , server devices  204 ( 1 )- 204 ( n ), or client devices  208 ( 1 )- 208 ( n ) than illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     In addition, two or more computing systems or devices may be substituted for any one of the systems or devices in any example. Accordingly, principles and advantages of distributed processing, such as redundancy and replication also may be implemented, as desired, to increase the robustness and performance of the devices and systems of the examples. The examples may also be implemented on computer system(s) that extend across any suitable network using any suitable interface mechanisms and traffic technologies, including by way of example only teletraffic in any suitable form (e.g., voice and modem), wireless traffic networks, cellular traffic networks, Packet Data Networks (PDNs), the Internet, intranets, and combinations thereof. 
     The AB device  202  is described and shown in  FIG. 3  as including a data store access authentication bridging module  302 , although it may include other rules, policies, modules, databases, or applications, for example. As will be described below, the data store access authentication bridging module  302  is configured to implement a method for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database in an automated, efficient, scalable, and reliable manner. 
     An exemplary process  300  for implementing a method for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database by utilizing the network environment of  FIG. 2  is shown as being executed in  FIG. 3 . Specifically, a first client device  208 ( 1 ) and a second client device  208 ( 2 ) are illustrated as being in communication with AB device  202 . In this regard, the first client device  208 ( 1 ) and the second client device  208 ( 2 ) may be “clients” of the AB device  202  and are described herein as such. Nevertheless, it is to be known and understood that the first client device  208 ( 1 ) and/or the second client device  208 ( 2 ) need not necessarily be “clients” of the AB device  202 , or any entity described in association therewith herein. Any additional or alternative relationship may exist between either or both of the first client device  208 ( 1 ) and the second client device  208 ( 2 ) and the AB device  202 , or no relationship may exist. 
     Further, AB device  202  is illustrated as being able to access an authentication protocols and methods data repository  206 ( 1 ) and an application-specific authentication database  206 ( 2 ). The data store access authentication bridging module  302  may be configured to access these databases for implementing a method for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database. 
     The first client device  208 ( 1 ) may be, for example, a smart phone. Of course, the first client device  208 ( 1 ) may be any additional device described herein. The second client device  208 ( 2 ) may be, for example, a personal computer (PC). Of course, the second client device  208 ( 2 ) may also be any additional device described herein. 
     The process may be executed via the communication network(s)  210 , which may comprise plural networks as described above. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, either or both of the first client device  208 ( 1 ) and the second client device  208 ( 2 ) may communicate with the AB device  202  via broadband or cellular communication. Of course, these embodiments are merely exemplary and are not limiting or exhaustive. 
     Upon being started, the data store access authentication bridging module  302  executes a process to providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database. An exemplary process for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database is generally indicated at flowchart  400  in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the process  400  of  FIG. 4 , at step S 402 , the data store access authentication bridging module  302  receives, from a user or an application, a request for data that is accessible via a database, a data warehouse, or a data store. In an exemplary embodiment, the request for data includes authentication information, such as, for example, a password, a username-password pair, and/or an encryption key. 
     At step S 404 , the data store access authentication bridging module  302  determines a current authentication protocol that is implemented by the application and a current authentication protocol that is implemented by the database. Then, at step S 406 , the data store access authentication bridging module  302  determines whether the application and the database are currently using the same authentication protocol. 
     When a determination is made that the application and the database are both using the same authentication protocol (i.e., result of step S 406 =Yes), then at step S 408 , the data store access authentication bridging module  302  authenticates the request by inputting the authentication information into the common protocol and using an output of the protocol to determine whether the application has a valid permission to access the requested data. The output of the protocol serves as proof of authentication, i.e., information that indicates that the request has been authenticated. Upon authentication, at step S 414 , the authenticated request and the proof of authentication are forwarded to a data store server  204 ( n ) that is configured to fulfill the request by retrieving the requested data to the application. The authenticated request and the retrieved data are then validated at step S 416 . 
     When a determination is made that the authentication protocol currently being employed by the application (also referred to herein as “the first protocol”) is different from the authentication protocol currently being employed by the database (also referred to herein as “the second protocol”) (i.e., result of step S 406 =No), then at step S 410 , the data store access authentication bridging module  302  uses the first protocol to validate the authentication information received in conjunction with the data access request in step S 402 . In an exemplary embodiment, the authentication information is provided as an input to the first protocol, and the output of the first protocol is then used to determine whether the application has a valid permission to access the requested data. 
     Then, at step S 412 , the data store access authentication bridging module  302  converts the authentication information into information that is usable by the second protocol for performing an authentication. In an exemplary embodiment, the conversion is performed by changing the format of the authentication information, thereby effectively authenticating the request. The process then proceeds to step S 414 , in which the authenticated request and the proof of authentication are forwarded to the data store server  204 ( n ) that is configured to fulfill the request by retrieving the requested data to the application. The authenticated request and the retrieved data are then validated at step S 416 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the data store access authentication module  302  may also perform additional operations. For example, when a determination is made at step S 406  that the first and second protocols are different, the data store access authentication module  302  may further determine which of the two protocols is the newer protocol, and therefore likely the more secure protocol, and then transmit a notification message indicating that a newer, more secure authentication protocol has been implemented. In this manner, the introduction and implementation of newer, more secure authentication protocols is facilitated. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the data store access authentication module  302  may perform a telemetry function of storing metrics and/or metadata that relate to the data access request received in step S 402  in a historical database access data repository. By storing such metrics and metadata in a historical data repository, the historical data is made available for later use in observing data access trends and as input to machine learning algorithms for improving various aspects of system performance. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the data store access authentication module  302  may perform a gatekeeping function of determining whether a query included in the data access request is potentially harmful. The determination regarding potential harmfulness may be made based on whether threshold amounts of system resources that would be consumed by granting the request are exceeded, such as, for example, memory consumption and/or central processing unit (CPU) resources consumption. In an exemplary embodiment, the query may include a Structured Query Language (SQL) query. When a determination is made that such a query is potentially harmful, a warning message may be transmitted to the application, together with explanatory information. 
     Accordingly, with this technology, an optimized process for implementing methods and systems for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication method remains effective when a new authentication method is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application/user and a database is provided. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure in its aspects. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims. 
     For example, while the computer-readable medium may be described as a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein. 
     The computer-readable medium may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable medium or media and/or comprise a transitory computer-readable medium or media. In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any computer-readable medium or other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored. 
     Although the present application describes specific embodiments which may be implemented as computer programs or code segments in computer-readable media, it is to be understood that dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the embodiments described herein. Applications that may include the various embodiments set forth herein may broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Accordingly, the present application may encompass software, firmware, and hardware implementations, or combinations thereof. Nothing in the present application should be interpreted as being implemented or implementable solely with software and not hardware. 
     Although the present specification describes components and functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions are considered equivalents thereof. 
     The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
     One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter. 
     The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.