US 8,913,721 B1 · Systems and methods for preventing sensitive information from being communicated into a non-secure environment

Abstract

A telecommunication system is arranged between a trusted automated interactive system and a non-secure agent. The trusted automated interactive portion is operable for bidirectional communications with a caller. The agent portion is arranged to be bridged onto a communication connection between the caller (or network chat user) and the trusted interactive system under certain conditions. Sensitive data transmitted between the system and a calling user may be blocked from being communicated to the agent even while the agent is bridged onto the connection. In one embodiment, information (such as a verification of authenticity of the caller) pertaining to the sensitive data (but not the sensitive data itself) is communicated to the agent.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A machine comprising:

a. a communication router;
b. a robotic interaction system;
and
c. a means for protecting sensitive information;
wherein:
i. the communication router is configured to enable an interaction between a user and an agent by establishing a connection between the user and the agent;
ii. the robotic interaction system is configured to, during the interaction between the user and the agent, receive a response to a request, wherein:
the request is provided to the user;
and
the request requests the user to provide sensitive information;
iii. the means for protecting sensitive information is configured to prevent the response to the request from being communicated to the agent.

8 more elements

A method comprising:

a. a non-secure agent engaging in bi-directional communication with a system user;
b. inhibiting sensitive information from the system user from being communicated to the non-secure agent while being communicated to a trusted intermediary by performing acts comprising, during an interaction comprising the bi-directional communication, preventing a response from the system user to a request to provide sensitive information from being provided to the non-secure agent;
and
c. after inhibiting the sensitive information from said system user from being communicated to said non-secure agent while being communicated to said trusted intermediary, the non-secure agent resuming the interaction, wherein resuming the interaction comprises the non-secure agent engaging in further bi-directional communication with the system user.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/476,456Filed 21 May 2012 · continuation

Priority

8 Aug 2008

Granted

16 Dec 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G06F 21/6245
To a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database: protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
H04M 3/51
Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised…:…
H04M 2203/6009
Related to security aspects in telephonic communication systems: personal information, e.g. profiles or personal directories being only provided…
G06F
Computing and data processing

Systems and methods for preventing sensitive information from being communicated into a non-secure environment

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for preventing sensitive information from being communicated into a non-secure environment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15