Secure access from a user location to multiple target systems with a simplified user interface
AssigneeCovad Communications Group, Inc.
InventorYasantha Nirmal Rajakarunanayake
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A telecommunication system which provides secure access from a user system at a user location to target systems at a desired target location (“secure location”). The system is implemented such that connectivity to any other target locations from a user system is disabled when the user system requires connectivity to the target systems at the secure location. By disabling the connectivity, the present invention ensures that access to the target location does not expose the target systems to the risk of unauthorized access. A simple user interface is also provided. The user may select the desired target location from among several target locations, for example, by operating a physical interface on a customer premises equipment (CPE).
Claims16
A method of providing secure access from a user system at a user location to a target system at a secure location, said method allowing access from said user location to a plurality of target locations including said secure location, wherein said secure access is provided on a telecommunication network capable of supporting connectivity to said plurality of target locations simultaneously from said user location, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) configuring said telecommunication network to provide connectivity from said user location to each of said plurality of target locations, wherein said connectivity is provided via a switch at said user location, said switch having a first switch setting corresponding to said target system at said secure location and at least one other switch setting corresponding to said plurality of target locations other than said secure location;
- (b) enabling a user to select a desired target location to which access is to be provided;
- (c) disabling the connectivity between said user location and all of said plurality of target locations except said desired target location selected in step (b) by having said switch at said first switch setting if said desired target location corresponds to said secure location;
- and
- (d) transferring data between said user system and said desired target location to provide a virtual circuit between said user location and said desired target location, wherein said transferred data provides basis for access of said target system from said user system,
- wherein the disabling of step (c) ensures that said access from said user system to said target system at said desired secure location is secure.
A system for providing secure access from a user system at a user location to a target system at a secure location, said system allowing access from said user location to a plurality of target locations including said secure location, said system comprising:
- a telecommunication network configured to provide connectivity from said user location to each of said plurality of target locations, wherein said connectivity is provided via a switch at said user location, said switch having a first switch setting corresponding to said target system at said secure location and at least one other switch setting corresponding to said plurality of target locations other than said secure location;
- means for enabling a user to select a desired target location to which secure access is to be provided;
- means for disabling connectivity between said user location and all of said plurality of target locations except said desired target location selected by said user by having said switch at said first switch setting if said desired target location corresponds to said secure location;
- and
- means for transferring data between said user system and said desired target location to provide a virtual circuit between said user location and said target location, wherein said transferred data provides basis for access of said target system from said user system,
- wherein the disabling ensures that said access from said user system to said target system at said secure location is secure.
A system for providing secure access from a user system at a user location to a target system at a secure location, said system allowing access from said user location to a plurality of target locations including said secure location, said system comprising:
- a telecommunication network configured to provide connectivity from said user location to each of said plurality of target locations, wherein said connectivity is provided via a switch at said user location, said switch having a first switch setting corresponding to said target system at said secure location and at least one other switch setting corresponding to said plurality of target locations other than said secure location;
- a first customer premise equipment (CPE) provided at said user location, said first CPE being coupled to said telecommunication network and said user system;
- a second CPE provided at said secure location, said second CPE being coupled to said telecommunication network and said target system;
- and
- an interface for enabling said user to select one of said plurality of target locations by selecting a corresponding switch setting of said switch,
- wherein said first CPE, said second CPE, and said telecommunication network are designed to transfer data between said user system and said target system selected by said user, and
- wherein connectivity is disabled from said user location to all of said plurality of target locations except said secure location if said user selects said secure location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.