A procedure for selecting and storing data elements communicated from a common database to users of the database utilizing a communication link between each transmitter and a concomitant receiver accessible by the user. The transmitted information is augmented with attributes which are used at the receiver to select and then store locally only that information of interest to each receiver's user, wherein the attributes and the user selection pattern determine the criteria for storing information locally. Attributes include: utility of each data element in time; interest categories and level of interest for each of the categories determined for the collective users; repeat time to the data element; and a hyperlink to associated data elements.

Broadcast interactive multimedia system

A scalable access filter that is used together with others like it in a virtual private network to control access by users at clients in the network to information resources provided by servers in the network. Each access filter use a local copy of an access control data base to determine whether an access request made by a user. Changes made by administrators in the local copies are propagated to all of the other local copies. Each user belongs to one or more user groups and each information resource belongs to one or more information sets. Access is permitted or denied according to of access policies which define access in terms of the user groups and information sets. The rights of administrators are similarly determined by administrative policies. Access is further permitted only if the trust levels of a mode of identification of the user and of the path in the network by which the access is made are sufficient for the sensitivity level of the information resource. If necessary, the access filter automatically encrypts the request with an encryption method whose trust level is sufficient. The first access filter in the path performs the access check and encrypts and authenticates the request; the other access filters in the path do not repeat the access check.

Distributed administration of access to information

A scalable access filter that is used together with others like it in a virtual private network to control access by users at clients in the network to information resources provided by servers in the network. Each access filter use a local copy of an access control database to determine whether an access request made by a user. Changes made by administrators in the local copies are propagated to all of the other local copies. Each user belongs to one or more user groups and each information resource belongs to one or more information sets. Access is permitted or denied according to of access policies which define access in terms of the user groups and information sets.

Generalized policy server

The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating automation security in a networked-based industrial controller environment. Various components, systems and methodologies are provided to facilitate varying levels of automation security in accordance with security analysis tools, security validation tools and/or security learning systems. The security analysis tool receives abstract factory models or descriptions for input and generates an output that can include security guidelines, components, topologies, procedures, rules, policies, and the like for deployment in an automation security network. The validation tools are operative in the automation security network, wherein the tools perform security checking and/or auditing functions, for example, to determine if security components are in place and/or in suitable working order. The security learning system monitors/learns network traffic patterns during a learning phase, fires alarms or events based upon detected deviations from the learned patterns, and/or causes other automated actions to occur.

System and methodology providing automation security analysis, validation, and learning in an industrial controller environment

A method and system for registration, authorization, and control of access rights in a computer system. Access rights of subjects on objects in a computer system are controlled using parameterized role types that can be instantiated into role instances equivalent to roles or groups. The required parameters are provided by the subject of the computer system, e.g. by a person, a job position, or an organization unit. Furthermore, relative resource sets are instantiated into concrete resource sets and individual resources by using the same parameter values as for instantiating the role types. Authorization and control of access rights include capability lists providing the access rights of the subjects on the objects of a computer system on a per subject basis. Furthermore, access control lists are derived from capability lists, so that access rights of the subjects on the respective objects are provided.

Method and system for advanced role-based access control in distributed and centralized computer systems

The security of data elements which represent an industrial process, which are manipulated by users on a data processing system and in which the industrial process includes a series of industrial process steps, are controlled by permitting groups of users to access predetermined data elements based on the industrial process step at which the industrial process is currently active. A user is prevented from accessing the requested element if the industrial process is not at an industrial process step corresponding to one of the industrial process steps for which the user has authority to access the data element. Thus, access to data is prevented based on the status of the data, in addition to the type of data. When selected database elements are associated with one of many locations, access is also denied to a user based on the location. Security access based on status and location may be provided in response to a change in the current industrial process step. Access authority to the data elements is changed compared to the access authority at the immediately preceding industrial process step based on mappings in one or more tables. Improved security of data elements which represent an industrial process is thereby provided.

Method and apparatus for controlling access to data elements in a data processing system based on status of an industrial process by mapping user's security categories and industrial process steps

Laura A. Stowers

Papers

Method and apparatus for controlling access to data elements in a data processing system based on status of an industrial process by mapping user's security categories and industrial process steps

Method and apparatus for controlling access to data elements in a data processing system based on status of an industrial process