U.S. patent application number 15/704507 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-20 for secure resource access based on psychometrics.
The applicant listed for this patent is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Lisa M. Bradley, Liam Harpur, Vivek Jain, Mahesh S. Paradkar, Aaron J. Quirk, Lin Sun.
Application Number | 20180270250 15/704507 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63295410 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180270250 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bradley; Lisa M. ; et
al. |
September 20, 2018 |
SECURE RESOURCE ACCESS BASED ON PSYCHOMETRICS
Abstract
Access to a secure resource is controlled. Data relating to
social media history information, demographic information, and
psychometric information regarding a user having access to a secure
resource is mined by a computer system. Mined data that indicates a
potential security risk that meets a predefined security criteria
with respect to the secure resource is identified by the computer
system. A security risk level based on the identified data is
determined. A level of access to the secure resource by the user
computing device is set, based on one or more predetermined
threshold values that are met, in response to a determination
regarding such. Access is granted to the secure resource in
accordance with the set level of access, in response to receiving a
request to access the secure resource by the computer system.
Inventors: |
Bradley; Lisa M.; (Cary,
NC) ; Harpur; Liam; (Dublin, IE) ; Jain;
Vivek; (Maharashtra, IN) ; Paradkar; Mahesh S.;
(Pune, IN) ; Quirk; Aaron J.; (Raleigh, NC)
; Sun; Lin; (Cary, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63295410 |
Appl. No.: |
15/704507 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15458062 |
Mar 14, 2017 |
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15704507 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2216/03 20130101;
G06F 16/9535 20190101; G06F 40/30 20200101; H04L 63/0884 20130101;
H04L 63/0281 20130101; H04L 63/105 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06; G06F 17/27 20060101 G06F017/27; G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Claims
1. A method for controlling access to a secure resource of an
enterprise server, the method comprising: mining, by a computer
system, data comprising social media history information,
demographic information, and psychometric information with respect
to a user having access to the secure resource; receiving, by a
resource security proxy of the computer system from a user
computing device, a user request for accessing the secure resource,
wherein the resource security proxy serves as an intermediary
between the user computing device and the secure resource;
generating, by the computer system, a security profile for
association with the user, wherein the security profile comprises
the mined data, and wherein the security profile is generated by
applying natural language processing, sentiment analyses, user
behavioral analytics, and machine learning to the mined data;
identifying, by the computer system, a potential security risk
based on the mined data, wherein the potential security risk meets
a predefined security criteria with respect to the secure resource;
generating, by the computer system, security risk level information
in relation to the user with respect to the secure resource, the
security risk level information generated based on the identified
data, wherein the generated security risk level information is
added to the security profile; determining, by the computer system,
a security risk level score with respect to the user based on the
generated security risk level information, wherein the security
risk level score is determined based on: content of a social media
posting by the user, an emotional state of the user, a change to
the demographic information of the user, and an action by the user
in violation of an established security procedure, wherein the
emotional state of the user is determined based on psychometric
information stored on the enterprise server, wherein the
psychometric information comprises standardized psychometric test
results associated with the user and psychometric measurements of
an attitude and personality trait of the user; in response to
determining, by the computer system, that the determined security
risk level score meets one or more predetermined threshold values,
setting a level of access to the secure resource by the user
computing device based on the one or more predetermined threshold
values that are met; and granting, by the resource security proxy
of the computer system in accordance with the set level of access,
access to the secure resource by the user associated with the
received request.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
information security, and more particularly to the prevention of
unauthorized use or modification of data.
SUMMARY
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a
method, system, and computer program product for controlling access
to a secure resource. Social media history information, demographic
information, and psychometric information with respect to a user
having access to a secure resource is mined by a computer system to
retrieve information related to the user. A request to access a
secure resource is received by the computer system from a user
computing device. Data in the mined data that indicates a potential
security risk that meets a predefined security criteria with
respect to the secure resource is identified by the computer
system. A security risk level based on the identified data is
determined by the computer system. A level of access to the secure
resource by the user computing device is set, based on one or more
predetermined threshold values that are met, in response to
determining by the computer system that the determined security
risk level meets the one or more predetermined threshold values.
Access is granted to the secure resource in accordance with the set
level of access, in response to receiving a request to access the
secure resource by the computer system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram depicting a security
management system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting the operational steps of an
aspect of the secure resource access manager program of FIG. 1, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a computing device, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] FIG. 4 depicts a cloud computing environment, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 5 depicts abstraction model layers, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Data or information belonging to an enterprise may be
sensitive, and may include, for example, intellectual property and
other types of proprietary information, sensitive personal
information such as personally identifiable information related to
employees, contractors, and other personnel, amongst other types of
information. An enterprise may secure sensitive information by
requiring individuals or users to possess certain privileges or
permissions in order to access the information. For example, a
system administrator may define access restrictions to secure
sensitive information, which may require users who request access
to the secure information to possess certain privileges in order to
gain access. Privileges may be given to users based on, for
example, job roles, job functions, seniority, and assigned tasks to
be completed. The proper handling of sensitive information may then
rely on various human factors, such as the users' information
security habits, discretion, or the like, who possess the required
privileges to gain access to the sensitive information. Human
factors with respect to a user may be variable, and may depend on,
for example, psychometrics and demographics with respect to the
user, as described in further detail below.
[0009] An individual who possesses the required privileges needed
to gain access to sensitive information may still pose a potential
security risk to the enterprise, since the individual may, with or
without intent, act to collect, disrupt, distribute, degrade, or
destroy the sensitive information, and/or information system
resources belonging to the enterprise. For example, in some
instances an individual may act with intent against an enterprise
by destroying information belonging to the enterprise. In other
instances, the individual may act without intent due to, for
example, poor information security habits, by inadvertently opening
an email attachment containing malicious software. Such acts by the
individual, which may be described as various types of information
security events, data breaches, and cyber-attacks, may result in,
for example, financial and/or reputational losses for the
enterprise. Such information security events accounted for 60
percent of all information security events encountered by
enterprises worldwide in the year 2015, as reported by the IBM
X-Force.RTM. 2016 Cyber Security Intelligence Index.
[0010] Indications of a potential security risk posed by an
individual who can access sensitive information, or a secure
resource, belonging to an enterprise, may occur as one or more
patterns of behavior exhibited by the individual.
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an
information security system that controls access to secure
resources, based on information relating to behavioral patterns
and/or human factors of a requestor, or a user that requests access
to the secure resources. The behavioral patterns and human factors
of a requestor are determined based on mined psychometric
information, demographic information, and social media history
information of the requestor. A level of security risk is
determined with respect to the requestor, and access to the secure
resource is restricted accordingly.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram depicting a security
management system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. Security management system 100 may include user
computing device 110, social media server 120, demographics server
130, enterprise server 140, security management server 150, and
secure resource server 180, all interconnected over a network
102.
[0013] In various embodiments, network 102 represents, for example,
an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN)
such as the Internet, and include wired, wireless, or fiber optic
connections. In general, network 102 can be any combination of
connections and protocols that will support communications between
each of user computing device 110, social media server 120,
demographics server 130, enterprise server 140, security management
server 150, and secure resource server 180 over one or more
networks, that may include one or more private networks as well a
public network, such as the Internet, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0014] In various embodiments, user computing device 110, social
media server 120, demographics server 130, enterprise server 140,
security management server 150, and secure resource server 180 may
be a laptop computer, desktop computer, computer server, or any
other type of computing platform, computer system, or information
system known in the art, in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention, and may each include internal and external
hardware components, as depicted and described in further detail
below with reference to FIG. 3. In other embodiments, any one of,
or any combination of the aforementioned computing platforms, may
be implemented in a cloud computing environment, as described in
relation to FIGS. 4 and 5, below.
[0015] Secure resource server 180 represents a computing platform
that may host one or more enterprise secure resources, for example,
secure resource 182.
[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, secure resource 182 may
represent controlled-access resources that may belong to an
enterprise. Controlled-access resources may include, for example,
data or information, as described in further detail below, which
may be accessed by way of a computer program. Secure resource 182
may also represent, either alternatively or in addition,
controlled-access computer programs used by an enterprise, as
described in further detail below. Secure resource 182 may be used
by an enterprise to support the enterprise's various functions,
activities, processes, or operations. Resources represented by
secure resource 182 may include various types of data or
information, and may be directed to one or more specific functions
of an enterprise such as business and/or market intelligence and
strategies, accounting, occupational safety and health, human
resources, project management, and customer information management.
Computer program resources represented by secure resource 182 may
include various types of computer programs, for example, computer
programs which may be used to modify the operation or functionality
of operating systems or networks used by computing platforms of an
enterprise. Secure resource 182 may be handled, or otherwise
stored, accessed, communicated, and/or manipulated, with respect to
secure resource server 180, by way of one or more database
management systems, which may be hosted on secure resource server
180. Secure resource 182 may be made available for use by users
under certain circumstances, as will be described in further detail
below, where the users might include, for example, an enterprise's
employees, contractors, and other personnel.
[0017] Social media server 120 represents a computing platform that
may host one or more social media or social networking platforms,
electronic mail or email platforms, and messaging platforms, for
example, social media application 122.
[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, social media application 122 may
represent social media platforms, such as, Facebook.RTM.,
Twitter.RTM., LinkedIn.RTM., or may represent an email or messaging
platform, such as, Gmail.RTM. or Gchat.RTM.. Social media
application 122 may be used by a user once the user builds a user
profile. A user profile of a user may include various demographic
information, as described in further detail below, regarding the
user, and may also include various other types of information
regarding the user, for example, interests, hobbies, contact
information, contacts, and/or various types of biographical
information.
[0019] As a user uses social media application 122, a social media
history is created. A user's social media history may include the
user's activities on social media application 122 with one or more
members of social networks, participation and activities by the
user in one or more forums or common interest(s) groups, "likes",
comments, message posts, and messages sent or received by the user.
Social media history information may include information content
uploaded by the user in various forms, including, for example,
image files, video files, audio files, posts consisting of text or
words and/or emoticons or "emojis". Social media application 122
may serve as sources of information which may be data mined, as
described in further detail below, with respect to a user of secure
resource 182.
[0020] Demographics server 130 represents a computing platform that
may host one or more database management systems, for example,
demographics database 132.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, demographics database 132
represents a database management system that may be used to host
demographic information such as might be included in a census
database. Demographics database 132 may be publically owned and
maintained, for example, by the United States Census Bureau, or may
be privately owned and maintained. The choice of the types of
demographic information to mine with respect to individuals, and
the choice of sources from which to mine the demographic
information are a matter of design choice.
[0022] Enterprise server 140 represents a computing platform that
may host one or more enterprise social media platforms, enterprise
email platforms, enterprise messaging platforms, enterprise
business tool platforms such as enterprise accounting or enterprise
human resources management platforms, enterprise legacy system
platforms such as enterprise legacy payroll system platforms,
enterprise collaboration platforms such as enterprise conference or
enterprise teleconference or enterprise e-conference platforms, for
example, enterprise application 142. Enterprise server 140 further
represents a computing platform that may host one or more
enterprise database management systems, for example, enterprise
database 144.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, enterprise application 142 may
represent an enterprise social media platform, for example, IBM
Connections.RTM., or may represent an enterprise email or
enterprise messaging platform, for example, IBM Notes.RTM. or IBM
Sametime.RTM.. Activities of the user on the social media platform
may be stored as social media history information, as previously
described.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, enterprise database 144
represents a database management system that may be used to handle
information regarding individuals, such as employees, contractors,
and other personnel of an enterprise. Enterprise database 144 may
include information regarding individuals of an enterprise, such as
the types of information maintained with respect to a human
resource management system of the enterprise. Enterprise database
144 may also include psychometric information regarding individuals
of an enterprise, relating to measurements of knowledge, abilities,
attitudes, and/or personality or character traits which may be used
by the enterprise to, for example, support the individuals' career
development. Psychometric information regarding an individual may
be obtained directly by, for example, administered tests,
questionnaires, or assessments, including, for example, the
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the Five Factor
model, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test, Belbin's Team
Role Self Perception Inventory (BTRSPI) test, the human brain
dominance indicator (HBDI) test. Enterprise database 144 may be
used by an enterprise to, for example, support the enterprise's
functions, and may be directed to specific functions of the
enterprise, such as human resources or accounting.
[0025] User computing device 110 represents a computing platform
that may host one or more software programs, for example, web
browser 112, that a user may use to access resources over the
internet.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, web browser 112 may be used to
access resources over the internet, and may be used in conjunction
with one or more software components, for example, one or more
plug-ins, add-ons, gateways, portals, portlets, and/or applets.
[0027] Security management server 150 represents a computing
platform that may host a resource access control computer program,
for example, secure resource access manager 160, which may be used
for controlling access to secure resources hosted on one or more
computing platforms, for example, secure resource 182 hosted on
secure resource server 180. Security management server 150 further
represents a computing platform that may host a proxy, for example,
secure resource proxy 172.
[0028] Secure resource access manager 160 represents a resource
access control computer program that may determine levels of access
to a secure resource, where the levels of access may relate to
granting access, such as by authorizing, authenticating, approving,
allowing, restricting, or denying access to secure resource 182 by
a requestor, based on a determined security risk level score with
respect to the requestor. Secure resource proxy 172 represents a
computer program configured to act as an intermediary with respect
to secure resource 182, by receiving requests for access to secure
resource 182 from requestors, and by servicing access to the secure
resource 182.
[0029] Secure resource access manager 160 receives and processes a
request for access to secure resource 182 from secure resource
proxy 172, and also receives and processes data mined with respect
to the requestor's psychometric information, demographic
information, and social media history information to determine
potential security risks posed by the requestor with respect to the
secure resource 182. Secure resource access manager 160 may
determine levels of access with respect to access to the secure
resource 182 by the requestor, based on the determined security
risks posed by the requestor, where the levels of access may be
serviced by secure resource proxy 172. In other embodiments, secure
resource server 180 may act as the intermediary with respect to
servicing access to the secure resource 182. Secure resource access
manager 160 may include data miner module 162, cognitive security
engine module 164, security risk level module 166, secure resource
access monitor and controller module 168, and data storage 170.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, data miner module 162
periodically mines data for all enterprise users having access to
secure resource 182, using social media application 122,
demographics database 132, and enterprise application 142 and
enterprise database 144. Data miner module 162 may use one or more
crawlers or other programs and methods, such as by periodically
running database queries, to retrieve the desired information. In
certain embodiments, additional data may be mined, such as social
media history for the contacts in a user's profile. Mined data may
be stored in data storage 170 for retrieval and use by modules of
secure resource access manager 160.
[0031] In various embodiments, data miner module 162 may mine data
meeting certain criteria, such as data that may be used to produce
information that may be useful in determining whether an individual
poses a security risk with respect to secure resource 182. Such
criteria may be determined, for example, based on best practices
from security related industries, or may be imported from open
source or proprietary sources.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, cognitive security engine module
164 receives mined data for a requestor of secure resource 182 from
data storage 170, and generates a set of information, or a security
profile, that is relevant to a determination of a security risk
level. Cognitive security engine module 164 may include techniques
and algorithms from Natural Language Processing (NLP), sentiment
analysis, user behavioral analytics, classification engines, and
other machine learning techniques.
[0033] Cognitive security engine module 164 is trained based on
training data that is input to the cognitive security engine
module, which may be classified in terms of known patterns of
behavior and/or human factors information according to various
predefined security criteria. Various classification algorithms or
techniques may be used to classify the training data, which may
involve the use of, for example, factor analyses algorithms,
exploratory factor analyses algorithms, principal component
analyses algorithms, neural networks, maximum likelihood estimation
algorithms, various types of multivariate statistical methods,
support vector machines, random forest, and/or deep feature
synthesis algorithms. The appropriate choice of the training data,
the classifications, and the predefined security criteria may be
chosen as a matter of design choice, based, for example, on
security industry best practices.
[0034] When cognitive security engine module 164 receives a request
from secure resource proxy 172 to generate a set of security risk
level information for a requestor, the cognitive security engine
reads mined data for the requestor from data storage 170. Based on
the training data and the various machine learning techniques used
by cognitive security engine module 164, a set of security risk
level information is generated. The generated set of security risk
level information may include, for example, detected patterns of
behavior based on social media history across one or more of the
social media platforms, the content of the requestor's social media
postings, human factors information such as evidence of certain
emotional states based, for example, on the psychometric
information, and/or changes to demographic information, and certain
actions that may indicate violations of established security
procedures.
[0035] Security risk level module 166 receives the security profile
and determines a security risk level score with respect to the
requestor. The security risk level score may include values for
several security dimensions, such as access to different portions
of secure resource 182, and whether various types of security
related education are recommended or required. The security risk
level score may be determined, for example, using a rule engine
that may weight certain items and combinations of items in the set
of security risk level information, in recognition that some of the
items may be more or less indicative of a security risk.
[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, secure resource access monitor
and controller module 168 receives a security risk level score with
respect to a requestor from security risk level module 166, and in
response to determining whether the security risk level score meets
one or more predetermined threshold values, determines or sets
levels of access to secure resource 182 by the requestor
accordingly. Determined levels of access may be serviceable by
secure resource proxy 172, to set or control the determined levels
of access to secure resource 182 by the requestor. In other
embodiments, secure resource server 180 may service access to the
secure resource 182. Determined levels of access may be based on
security risk level scores that meet one or more predetermined
threshold values, which may be defined, for example, with respect
to a spectrum of possible security risk level scores.
[0037] For example, predetermined threshold values may be defined
in qualitative terms corresponding to low, intermediate, and high
security risk level scores, where corresponding commands may relate
to requiring the completion of education regarding security habits
for low security risk level scores, restricting access to secure
resource 182 to a degree for intermediate security risk level
scores, and completely restricting access to secure resource 182
for high security risk level scores. Generally, the manner in which
predetermined threshold values may be defined with respect to
security risk level scores and corresponding commands may be a
matter of design choice.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operational steps of
an aspect of security management system 100 of FIG. 1, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] Secure resource proxy 172, residing on security management
server 150, receives requests for access to secure resource 182
(step 202), residing on secure resource server 180, from requestors
over network 102, where a requestor may send a request that
includes an identifier of the requestor by way of web browser 112,
residing on user computing device 110. Data miner module 162 of
secure resource access manager 160, which may also be residing on
security management server 150, periodically mines data with
respect to enterprise users having access to secure resource 182
(step 204) from each of social media application 122 residing on
social media server 120, demographics database 132 residing on
demographics server 130, and enterprise application 142 and
enterprise database 144 residing on enterprise server 140. Data
mined may be stored on data storage 170 for later retrieval and
use.
[0040] Cognitive security engine module 164 receives mined data
with respect to each enterprise user having access to secure
resource 182, and generates a corresponding security profile
containing the mined data for each of the enterprise users.
Cognitive security engine module 164 identifies and characterizes
potential security risks and corresponding levels of security risk
posed by a requestor, or an enterprise user who requests access to
the secure resource 182, using the corresponding security profile
of the requestor. Potential security risks may be identified in
terms of detected patterns of behavior, and/or human factors
information, exhibited by a requestor, which may be indicative of
one or more potential security risks posed by the requestor (step
206). The patterns of behavior and/or human factors information
relating to a requestor may be detected according to classified
information regarding similar patterns of behavior and/or similar
human factors information known to be indicative of one or more
potential security risks that may be posed by an individual.
[0041] Security risk level module 166 receives security profiles of
requestors and determines and associates corresponding security
risk level scores to each of the security profiles of the
requestors (step 208). A security risk level score may be based on
information contained in the security profile of a requestor, with
respect to each detected pattern of behavior and/or each detected
human factors information of the requestor.
[0042] Secure resource access monitor and controller 168 receives
security risk level scores and determines corresponding levels of
access to secure resource 182. Determined levels of access may be
serviced by secure resource server 180, and/or secure resource
proxy 172, to control access to secure resource 182 by requestors
according to the determined levels of access. The levels of access
may be determined for security risk level scores that meet or
exceed one or more predetermined threshold values (step 210, "yes"
branch), where no action may be taken for the security risk level
scores that do not meet or exceed one or more of the predetermined
threshold values (step 210, "no" branch).
[0043] For a security risk level score of a requestor that meets or
exceeds one or more predetermined threshold values, determined
levels of access may be serviced to control access to secure
resource 182 by the requestor accordingly (step 212). For example,
high security risk level scores may be denied access, intermediate
security risk level scores may have access restricted to an extent,
and low security risk level scores may be allowed full access,
pending completion of a task, where predetermined threshold values
may be defined for each of the high, intermediate, and low security
risk level scores, respectively. Other generated and communicated
commands with respect to security risk level scores that meet or
exceed one or more predetermined threshold values may relate to,
for example, generating and communicating an alert to one or more
system administrators, requiring the requestor to complete
education regarding security habits, among others. For security
risk level scores of requestors that do not exceed any
predetermined threshold level of security risk, security management
system 100 may take no action.
[0044] As depicted in FIG. 3, user computing device 110, social
media server 120, demographics server 130, enterprise server 140,
security management server 150, and secure resource server 180 may
each include one or more processors 902, one or more
computer-readable RAMs 904, one or more computer-readable ROMs 906,
one or more computer readable storage media 908, device drivers
912, read/write drive or interface 914, network adapter or
interface 916, all interconnected over a communications fabric 918.
The network adapter 916 communicates with a network 930.
Communications fabric 918 may be implemented with any architecture
designed for passing data and/or control information between
processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network
processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other
hardware components within a system.
[0045] One or more operating systems 910, and one or more
application programs 911, for example, secure resource access
manager 160, as depicted in FIG. 1, are stored on one or more of
the computer readable storage media 908 for execution by one or
more of the processors 902 via one or more of the respective RAMs
904 (which typically include cache memory). In the illustrated
embodiment, each of the computer readable storage media 908 may be
a magnetic disk storage device of an internal hard drive, CD-ROM,
DVD, memory stick, magnetic tape, magnetic disk, optical disk, a
semiconductor storage device such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, flash memory
or any other computer-readable tangible storage device that can
store a computer program and digital information.
[0046] Each of user computing device 110, social media server 120,
demographics server 130, enterprise server 140, security management
server 150, and secure resource server 180 may also include a R/W
drive or interface 914 to read from and write to one or more
portable computer readable storage media 926. Application programs
911 on any of user computing device 110, social media server 120,
demographics server 130, enterprise server 140, security management
server 150, and secure resource server 180 may be stored on one or
more of the portable computer readable storage media 926, read via
the respective R/W drive or interface 914 and loaded into the
respective computer readable storage media 908. Each of user
computing device 110, social media server 120, demographics server
130, enterprise server 140, security management server 150, and
secure resource server 180 may also include a network adapter or
interface 916, such as a Transmission Control Protocol
(TCP)/Internet Protocol (IP) adapter card or wireless communication
adapter (such as a 4G wireless communication adapter using
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)
technology).
[0047] Application programs 911 on any of user computing device
110, social media server 120, demographics server 130, enterprise
server 140, security management server 150, and secure resource
server 180 may be downloaded to the computing device from an
external computer or external storage device via a network (for
example, the Internet, a local area network or other wide area
network or wireless network) and network adapter or interface 916.
From the network adapter or interface 916, the programs may be
loaded onto computer readable storage media 908. The network may
comprise copper wires, optical fibers, wireless transmission,
routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge
servers. Server 230 may also include a display screen 920, a
keyboard or keypad 922, and a computer mouse or touchpad 924.
[0048] Device drivers 912 interface to display screen 920 for
imaging, to keyboard or keypad 922, to computer mouse or touchpad
924, and/or to display screen 920 for pressure sensing of
alphanumeric character entry and user selections. The device
drivers 912, R/W drive or interface 914 and network adapter or
interface 916 may comprise hardware and software (stored on
computer readable storage media 908 and/or ROM 906).
[0049] Each of, or some combination of, user computing device 110,
social media server 120, demographics server 130, enterprise server
140, security management server 150, and secure resource server 180
can be a standalone network server, or represent functionality
integrated into one or more network systems. In certain
embodiments, each of, or some combination of, user computing device
110, social media server 120, demographics server 130, enterprise
server 140, security management server 150, and secure resource
server 180 represent computer systems utilizing clustered computers
and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources when
accessed through a network, such as a LAN, WAN, or a combination of
the two. This implementation may be preferred for data centers and
for cloud computing applications. In general, any of user computing
device 110, social media server 120, demographics server 130,
enterprise server 140, security management server 150, and secure
resource server 180 can be any programmable electronic device, or
can be any combination of such devices.
[0050] The programs described herein are identified based upon the
application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment
of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that any
particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for
convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use
solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by
such nomenclature.
[0051] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a
computer program product at any possible technical detail level of
integration. The computer program product may include a computer
readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program
instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects
of the present invention.
[0052] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium
includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk,
a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a
floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0053] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0054] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated
circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any
combination of one or more programming languages, including an
object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++, or the
like, and procedural programming languages, such as the "C"
programming language or similar programming languages. The computer
readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's
computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software
package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote
computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the
latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's
computer through any type of network, including a local area
network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may
be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet
using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments,
electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic
circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable
logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program
instructions by utilizing state information of the computer
readable program instructions to personalize the electronic
circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present
invention.
[0055] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0056] These computer readable program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0057] The computer readable program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0058] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one
or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in
the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of
the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations
of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can
be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that
perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations
of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0059] It is to be understood that although this disclosure
includes a detailed description on cloud computing, implementation
of the teachings recited herein are not limited to a cloud
computing environment. Rather, embodiments of the present invention
are capable of being implemented in conjunction with any other type
of computing environment now known or later developed.
[0060] Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling
convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of
configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, network
bandwidth, servers, processing, memory, storage, applications,
virtual machines, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and
released with minimal management effort or interaction with a
provider of the service. This cloud model may include at least five
characteristics, at least three service models, and at least four
deployment models.
[0061] Characteristics are as follows:
[0062] On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally
provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network
storage, as needed automatically without requiring human
interaction with the service's provider.
[0063] Broad network access: capabilities are available over a
network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use
by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile
phones, laptops, and PDAs).
[0064] Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are
pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with
different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and
reassigned according to demand. There is a sense of location
independence in that the consumer generally has no control or
knowledge over the exact location of the provided resources but may
be able to specify location at a higher level of abstraction (e.g.,
country, state, or datacenter).
[0065] Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and
elastically provisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly
scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in. To the
consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear
to be unlimited and can be purchased in any quantity at any
time.
[0066] Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and
optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some
level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g.,
storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource
usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported, providing
transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized
service.
[0067] Service Models are as follows:
[0068] Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the
consumer is to use the provider's applications running on a cloud
infrastructure. The applications are accessible from various client
devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser
(e.g., web-based e-mail). The consumer does not manage or control
the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers,
operating systems, storage, or even individual application
capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific
application configuration settings.
[0069] Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the
consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure
consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming
languages and tools supported by the provider. The consumer does
not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including
networks, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control
over the deployed applications and possibly application hosting
environment configurations.
[0070] Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided
to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and
other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to
deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating
systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control
the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over operating
systems, storage, deployed applications, and possibly limited
control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls).
[0071] Deployment Models are as follows:
[0072] Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely
for an organization. It may be managed by the organization or a
third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.
[0073] Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by
several organizations and supports a specific community that has
shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and
compliance considerations). It may be managed by the organizations
or a third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.
[0074] Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to
the general public or a large industry group and is owned by an
organization selling cloud services.
[0075] Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of
two or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain
unique entities but are bound together by standardized or
proprietary technology that enables data and application
portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load-balancing between
clouds).
[0076] A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a
focus on statelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic
interoperability. At the heart of cloud computing is an
infrastructure that includes a network of interconnected nodes.
[0077] Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrative cloud computing
environment 50 is depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment
50 includes one or more cloud computing nodes 10 with which local
computing devices used by cloud consumers, such as, for example,
personal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone 54A, desktop
computer 54B, laptop computer 54C, and/or automobile computer
system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 may communicate with one
another. They may be grouped (not shown) physically or virtually,
in one or more networks, such as Private, Community, Public, or
Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combination thereof.
This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offer infrastructure,
platforms and/or software as services for which a cloud consumer
does not need to maintain resources on a local computing device. It
is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shown in
FIG. 7 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing
nodes 10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with
any type of computerized device over any type of network and/or
network addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).
[0078] Referring now to FIG. 5, a set of functional abstraction
layers provided by cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 1) is
shown. It should be understood in advance that the components,
layers, and functions shown in FIG. 8 are intended to be
illustrative only and embodiments of the invention are not limited
thereto. As depicted, the following layers and corresponding
functions are provided:
[0079] Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and
software components. Examples of hardware components include:
mainframes 61; RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture
based servers 62; servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65;
and networks and networking components 66. In some embodiments,
software components include network application server software 67
and database software 68.
[0080] Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from
which the following examples of virtual entities may be provided:
virtual servers 71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73,
including virtual private networks; virtual applications and
operating systems 74; and virtual clients 75.
[0081] In one example, management layer 80 may provide the
functions described below. Resource provisioning 81 provides
dynamic procurement of computing resources and other resources that
are utilized to perform tasks within the cloud computing
environment. Metering and Pricing 82 provide cost tracking as
resources are utilized within the cloud computing environment, and
billing or invoicing for consumption of these resources. In one
example, these resources may include application software licenses.
Security provides identity verification for cloud consumers and
tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources. User
portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment for
consumers and system administrators. Service level management 84
provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such
that required service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA)
planning and fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and
procurement of, cloud computing resources for which a future
requirement is anticipated in accordance with an SLA.
[0082] Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for
which the cloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of
workloads and functions which may be provided from this layer
include: mapping and navigation 91; software development and
lifecycle management 92; virtual classroom education delivery 93;
data analytics processing 94; transaction processing 95; and secure
resource access management 96.
[0083] Based on the foregoing, a computer system, method, and
computer program product have been disclosed. However, numerous
modifications and substitutions can be made without deviating from
the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present
invention has been disclosed by way of example and not
limitation.
[0084] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
[0085] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are
not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments
disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used
herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the one or more
embodiment, the practical application or technical improvement over
technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of
ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0086] Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and
described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the relevant art that various modifications, additions,
substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the
spirit of the invention, and these are, therefore, considered to be
within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following
claims.
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