Patent ID: 7426551

Claim:
A method implemented using a computer for dynamic adaptation of a system in accordance with a contract with criteria associated therewith, comprising: governing a security-related interaction between a plurality of components of the system utilizing the criteria of the contract, the components including an intrusion detection module which is subject to the governing; determining whether the security-related interaction between the components of the system meets the criteria of the contract; and adapting the security-related interaction between the components of the system upon the criteria of the contract not being met; wherein the contract is created by advertising a capability to a control component which handles contract negotiations, receiving a proposed contract based on the capability, accepting the proposed contract, receiving a seal message, receiving and storing a fallback proposed contract, and if replacement of the proposed contract is required, replacing the proposed contract with the fallback proposed contract; wherein the proposed contract is selected from a predetermined set; wherein replacement of the proposed contract is required when the interaction governed by the proposed contract no longer meets criteria of a cost model; wherein the system includes the intrusion detection module and triggers a reaction based on the security-related interaction.