Patent Abstract:
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for managing security policies in a distributed computing system. Security policies include, but are not limited to, a firewall policy, a policy for file access, a policy for application access, a policy for an encryption algorithm, a policy for audit trails, and a policy for activity logging. These security policies determine access rights to a computer application. The system operates by creating multiple security policies with individual security policies specifying a differing level of security for the distributed computing system. These security policies are then distributed to each computer in the distributed computing system. Next, a specific security policy is selected for use across the distributed computing system, and each computer in the distributed computing system is directed to use the specified security policy enforcing a selected security posture.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/813,419 filed on Mar. 20, 2001 by inventors: David L. Sames and Gregg W. Tally, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Securely and Dynamically Managing User Attributes in a Distributed System” (Attorney Docket No. NA00-10201). U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/813,419 is included herein by reference. 
     
    
     GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS  
       [0002] This invention was made with United States Government support under contract #F30602-98-C-0012 funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) through Rome Laboratories. The United States Government has certain rights in the invention. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    The present invention relates to distributed systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for securely and dynamically modifying security policy configurations in distributed systems.  
           [0005]    2. Related Art  
           [0006]    The recent explosion of distributed computing systems and their attendant problems have led to many innovative solutions to ensure commonality, interoperability, and standardization.  
           [0007]    In order to both provide authorized access and prevent unwanted access, security administrators establish security policies for distributed computing systems under their control. These security policies include firewall policies, file access policies, application access policies, encryption policies, audit trail policies, activity logging policies, and the like. Collectively, these policies can be referred to as access control policies or security policies.  
           [0008]    Access control policies are provided to the computers within the distributed computing system. The computer and the applications running on the computer then control access to the system resources based on the access control policies.  
           [0009]    One problem associated with distributed computing systems is providing access control policies under varying conditions. A distributed system may be under attack by an adversary and may need to change security policies quickly to prevent unwanted access. Security specialists in the military have developed an information condition (INFOCON) system similar to the well-known defense condition (DEFCON) system so that an administrator can quickly establish a different security policy in response to a specific threat level. We have broadened INFOCON to “security posture” to indicate a particular stance the system should take to a given threat condition.  
           [0010]    Distribution of these different security policies can be difficult, however. The distribution may require considerable data to be transferred to computers within the distributed system at a time when bandwidth among the computers is severely restricted by an attack. Therefore, the cause of a new security posture can prevent the timely distribution of the new security policy in response to the new security posture.  
           [0011]    What is needed is a method and an apparatus for distributing security policies in a distributed system that can be effectively used in response to a change in security posture.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0012]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for managing security policies in a distributed computing system. Security policies include, but are not limited to, a firewall, a policy for file access, a policy for application access, a policy for an encryption algorithm, a policy for audit trails, and a policy for activity logging. These security policies determine access rights to a computer application. The system operates by creating multiple security policies with individual security policies specifying a differing level of security for the distributed computing system. These security policies are then distributed to each computer in the distributed computing system. Next, a specific security policy is selected for use across the distributed computing system, and each computer in the distributed computing system is directed to use the specified security policy.  
           [0013]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the level of security includes a specific security posture.  
           [0014]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the system uses secure communications for distributing the security policies to each computer in the distributed computing system.  
           [0015]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the system signs each security policy with a cryptographic signature to allow detection of unauthorized changes.  
           [0016]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the system distributes the security policies from a computer in the distributed computing system to a subordinate computer.  
           [0017]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the specific security policy for use is selected upon detecting an attack upon the system. Upon detecting the attack, the system determines a security posture to be used, and then uses a specific security policy based on the security posture.  
           [0018]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the system uses secure communications for distributing the security posture to each computer in the distributed computing system.  
           [0019]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple security policies includes a default security policy that is selected by a computer within the distributed computing system if a specific security policy is defective on that host.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 illustrates host systems coupled together in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 illustrates host  110  including security posture interpreter  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 illustrates security posture interpreter  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating detecting an attack on the system and changing security posture in response to the attack in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process of notifying applications of a new security posture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 illustrates security policy data structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating distributing new security policies in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.  
         [0028]    The data structures and code described in this detailed description are typically stored on a computer readable storage medium, which may be any device or medium that can store code and/or data for use by a computer system. This includes, but is not limited to, magnetic and optical storage devices such as disk drives, magnetic tape, CDs (compact discs) and DVDs (digital versatile discs or digital video discs), and computer instruction signals embodied in a transmission medium (with or without a carrier wave upon which the signals are modulated). For example, the transmission medium may include a communications network, such as the Internet.  
         [0029]    Host Computing Systems  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 1 illustrates host systems coupled together in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Master host  100 , and hosts  110  and  120  are coupled together by network  130 . The system can include additional hosts. Master host  100 , hosts  110  and  120 , and any additional hosts within the system are arranged logically into a hierarchy with master host  100  at the top of the hierarchy. Additional hosts may be arranged to be logically subordinate to master host  100 , host  110 , host  120 , or to any other host within the hierarchy.  
         [0031]    Master host  100  and hosts  110  and  120  can generally include any type of computer system, including, but not limited to, a computer system based on a microprocessor, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing device, a personal organizer, a device controller, and a computational engine within an appliance.  
         [0032]    Network  130  can generally include any type of wire or wireless communication channel capable of coupling together computing nodes. This includes, but is not limited to, a local area network, a wide area network, or a combination of networks. In one embodiment of the present invention, network  130  includes the Internet.  
         [0033]    Master host  100 , and hosts  110  and  120  include configuration transfer agents  102 ,  112  and  122 , application clients  104 ,  114 , and  124 , and application servers  106 ,  116 , and  126  respectively. In addition, master host  100 , and hosts  110  and  120  are coupled to master policy database  108 , and local policy databases  118  and  128  respectively. Any additional host within the system has a configuration equivalent to the configuration of hosts  110  and  120 .  
         [0034]    During operation of the system, security administrator  132  interacts with master host  100  to create and maintain master policy database  108 . The master policy database includes a hierarchy of policy files. The hierarchy of policy files is detailed below in conjunction with FIG. 6.  
         [0035]    After master policy database  108  has been created, configuration transfer agent  102  establishes a secure link with configuration transfer agents  112  and  122  within hosts  110  and  120  respectively. Configuration transfer agents  102 ,  112 , and  122  operate in concert to copy master policy database  108  or parts thereof to local policy database  118  and local policy database  128 . In like manner, each configuration transfer agent may contact other configuration transfer agents within the system to provide each host within the system a local policy database. Note that master policy database  108  or parts thereof is signed with a cryptographic signature prior to distribution so that tampering with master policy database  108 , and local policy databases  118  and  128  can be detected.  
         [0036]    Application clients  104 ,  114 , and  124  and application servers  106 ,  116 , and  126  validate user access rights by accessing master policy database  108  and local policy databases  118  and  128  respectively. Application clients  104 ,  114 , and  124  and application servers  106 ,  116 , and  126  are notified by configuration transfer agents  102 ,  112 , and  122  when master policy database  108  and local policy databases  118  and  128  respectively have been updated.  
         [0037]    Host Including Security Posture Interpreter  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 2 illustrates host  110  including security posture interpreter  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Host  110  from FIG. 1 is representative of all hosts coupled together in a distributed computing system. Master host  100 , host  120  and all other hosts within the distributed computing system have a similar configuration. In this embodiment of the present invention, host  110  includes applications  206 , security posture interpreter  202  and local policy database  118 .  
         [0039]    Applications  206  includes any computer applications being processed by application client  114  and application server  116  from FIG. 1. In operation, an application within applications  206  can register with security posture interpreter  202 . In return security posture interpreter  202  can return the current security policy to the application.  
         [0040]    Security posture interpreter  202  receives the current security posture from local policy database  204  as discussed below in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 6. Security posture interpreter  202  also receives registrations from applications  206 . Upon receipt of a registration, security posture interpreter  202  returns the current security posture to the application being registered. In response to a change in current policy  622  as described below in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 6, security posture interpreter  202  notifies all registered applications within applications  206  of the change in current policy  622 .  
         [0041]    Local policy database  204  is a hierarchical database, which includes pre-positioned policies and current posture indicator  622  as described below in conjunction with FIG. 6. By pre-positioning the policies, the security posture of host  110  can be changed very quickly in response to a change in security posture of the system.  
         [0042]    Security Posture Interpreter  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 3 illustrates security posture interpreter  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Security posture interpreter  202  includes posture access agent  302 , posture registration agent  304 , and posture notification agent  306 .  
         [0044]    Upon notification of a new security posture by configuration transfer agent  112 , posture access agent  302  determines the current security posture by accessing current policy  622  within local policy database  204 . Posture access agent  302  provides the current security posture to posture notification agent  306 .  
         [0045]    Posture registration agent  304  provides access for applications  206  to register with security posture interpreter  202 . When an application within applications  206  registers with posture registration agent  304 , the application provides a call-back address so that posture notification agent  306  can notify the application when the current security posture changes.  
         [0046]    After posture notification agent  306  receives notification from configuration transfer agent  112  that current policy  622  has changed, posture notification agent  306  notifies all registered applications of the change in the current security posture.  
         [0047]    Detecting an Attack  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating detecting an attack on the system and changing security posture in response to the attack in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system starts when security administrator  132  detects an attack on the system (step  402 ). In response to detecting an intrusion, security administrator  132  decides on a security posture change directive for the distributed network (step  404 ). Next, the security posture change directive is sent to configuration transfer agent  102  (step  406 ).  
         [0049]    Configuration transfer agent  102  changes the security posture in master policy database  108  (step  408 ). Configuration transfer agent  102  also notifies subordinate configuration transfer agents of the new security posture (step  410 ).  
         [0050]    After the security posture change directive has been successfully received at the local host, associated configuration transfer agent  112  notifies associated security posture interpreter  202  of the new security posture (step  412 ). Next, security posture interpreter  202  notifies the security mechanism in registered applications  206  of the new security posture (step  414 ). Finally, applications  206  reconfigure to the new security posture (step  416 ).  
         [0051]    Notifying Applications of a New Security Posture  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process of notifying applications of a new security posture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system starts when a security posture interpreter, for example security posture interpreter  202 , receives notification of a new security posture (step  502 ). Upon receipt of this notification, security posture interpreter  202  authenticates the source of the notification (step  504 ).  
         [0053]    After authenticating the source of the notification, security posture interpreter  202  checks the integrity of the new security posture (step  506 ). Finally, security posture interpreter  202  notifies all applications that have registered with security posture interpreter  202  of the new security posture (step  508 ).  
         [0054]    Local Policy Database  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 6 illustrates local policy database  204  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Local policy database  204  is a hierarchical data structure of directories and files, which includes detailed security policies for use by applications  206 . Master policy  602  is a top-level directory of the hierarchy.  
         [0056]    Master policy  602  includes directories for role authorization policy  604 , additional policy  606 , and security policy interpreter (SPI) policy  620 . Role authorization policy  604  and additional policy  606  include files, which define security policies for role authorization policy  604  and additional policy  606 , respectively. Note that it will be obvious to a practitioner with ordinary skill in the art that there can be as many additional policy directories as required for a specific distributed computer system. These additional policy directories can be used for any type of security policy being implemented. SPI policy  620  includes current policy  622 .  
         [0057]    Each policy directory can include multiple policy files, where a policy file specifies a security policy for a specific security posture. For example, file  608  might be a default role authorization policy to use if the policy file specified by current policy  622  is defective or missing. Files  610  and  612  might be specific role authorization policies for specific security postures. Note that there can be as many files as necessary to respond to all security postures. Files  614 ,  616 , and  618  perform the same functions for additional policy  606  as files  608 ,  610 , and  612  do for role authorization policy  604 , respectively. In operation, the files comprising local policy database  204  are distributed as described below in conjunction with FIG. 7. These files are created and distributed prior to any need to change security postures, thereby pre-positioning the security policies so that the system can rapidly switch the current security policy.  
         [0058]    SPI policy  620  includes current policy  622 . Current policy  622  specifies only the current security posture and, as such, is a very small file. When a change in security posture is required, configuration transfer agent  112  need only distribute a new current policy  622  to effect the change in security posture for the entire distributed computing system.  
         [0059]    Installing Security Policies  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating distributing new security policies in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system starts when a host, for example host  110 , receives notification of a new security posture file (step  702 ). Note that each host in the distributed computing system functions in a similar way so only host  110  will be described herein. The notification of a new security policy can originate from security administrator  132  in the case of master host  100  (see FIG. 1) or from another host within the hierarchy of hosts comprising the distributed computing system.  
         [0061]    Upon notification of a new security policy, host  110  authenticates the source of the notification (step  704 ). After authenticating the source of the notification, host  110  copies the new security policy into local policy database  204  (step  706 ).  
         [0062]    Host  110  then verifies the digital signature included with the new security policy (step  708 ). Upon verification of the digital signature, host  110  installs the new security posture file in local policy database  204 , overwriting any current security policy with the same designation (step  710 ). Host  110  then notifies any subordinate hosts in the distributed computing system of the new policy (step  712 ).  
         [0063]    Note that the same distribution mechanism is used to distribute current posture  622 , thereby ensuring that only authorized changes are propagated through the distributed computing system. Since current posture  622  is small, a change in security posture can be propagated through the system very quickly, even when the system is under attack.  
         [0064]    The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7