IP Library Granted Patent US 11,700,282
Granted Patent B2
US 11,700,282 · App. 17/080,622 · Granted Jul 11, 2023

Dynamic hyper context-driven microsegmentation

Inventors: Srinivas Akella (San Jose, CA); Arun Kumar Dheena (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: NETSKOPE, INC.
H04L63/20H04L63/0876
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,700,282
App. No.
17/080,622
Granted
Jul 11, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for dynamic, hyper context-based microsegmentation are described. In one aspect, a computing device is detected on a network. A network hyper context is assigned to the computing device based on network properties and computing device properties associated with the computing device. A policy defining a segment identifier identifying a network segment and corresponding to the network hyper context is accessed. The segment identifier is assigned to the computing device. The computing device is segmented onto the network responsive to detecting the computing device.

Claims (44)

1. A method comprising:

detecting a computing device on a network;

assigning a network hyper context to the computing device based on network properties and computing device properties associated with the computing device;

accessing a policy defining a segment identifier identifying a network segment and corresponding to the network hyper context;

assigning the segment identifier to the computing device; and

segmenting the computing device onto the network segment responsive to detecting the computing device.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting a change in connectivity type utilized by the computing device; and

re-segmenting the computing device onto the segment subsequent to detecting the change in connectivity type.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein detecting a change in connectivity type utilized by the computing device comprises detecting a change from wireless connectivity to wired connectivity.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein detecting a change in connectivity type utilized by the computing device comprises detecting a change from wired connectivity to wireless connectivity.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the re-segmenting includes de-authenticating the computing device from the network.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising prior to assigning a network hyper context to the computing device:

accessing a hyper context set defining a plurality of possible network hyper contexts and corresponding policies; and

locating the network hyper context from within the hyper context set based on the network properties and computing device properties, the corresponding policies of the hyper context set defining that devices assigned the network hyper context are to be segmented onto the segment.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the hyper context set is generated based on one or more computing device properties and network properties.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein segmenting the computing device onto the segment comprises enforcing the corresponding policies of the hyper context on the computing device.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising blacklisting a computing device that is prevented from joining the network.

10. A method comprising:

detecting a computing device on a computer network;

assigning a computer network hyper context to the computing device based on network properties and computing device properties associated with the computing device;

accessing a policy defining a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier identifying a VLAN and corresponding to the computer network hyper context;

assigning the VLAN identifier to the computing device; and

segmenting the computing device onto the VLAN responsive to detecting the computing device.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

detecting a change in connectivity type utilized by the computing device; and

re-segmenting the computing device onto the virtual local area network (VLAN) subsequent to detecting the change in connectivity type.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the re-segmenting includes de-authenticating the computing device from the computer network.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein detecting a change in connectivity type utilized by the computing device comprises detecting a change from wireless connectivity to wired connectivity.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein detecting a change in connectivity type utilized by the computing device comprises detecting a change from wired connectivity to wireless connectivity.

15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising prior to assigning a computer network hyper context to the computing device:

accessing a hyper context set defining a plurality of possible computer network hyper contexts and corresponding policies; and

locating the computer network hyper context from within the hyper context set based on the network properties and computing device properties, the corresponding policies of the hyper context set defining that devices assigned the computer network hyper context are to be segmented onto the VLAN.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the hyper context set is generated based on one or more computing device properties and computer network properties.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein segmenting the computing device onto the VLAN comprises enforcing the corresponding policies of the hyper context on the computing device.

18. The method of claim 10 , further comprising blocking a computing device that is prevented from joining the network.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a network traffic controller associated with a network, the network traffic controller configured to enable an interface of a computing device the network;

a hyper context network sensor configured to observe span traffic associated with the network and detect the computing device on the network via the network traffic controller;

a hyper context cloud server configured to receive data associated with the span traffic, assign a network hyper context to the computing device based on network properties and computing device properties associated with the computing device, and access a policy defining a segment identifier identifying a network segment and corresponding to the network hyper context; and

a cloud controller configured to segment the computing device onto the network segment responsive to detecting the computing device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the hyper context set is generated based on one or more computing device properties and network properties.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein segmenting the computing device onto the segment comprises enforcing the corresponding policies of the hyper context on the computing device.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the computing device connects to the network via a wireless access point or a wired network switch.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 30, 2022
From: WOOTCLOUD INC.
To: NETSKOPE, INC.
Reel/Frame 060943/0474 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2020
From: AKELLA, SRINIVAS; DHEENA, ARUN KUMAR
To: WOOTCLOUD INC.
Reel/Frame 054170/0113 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220131901A1 · Apr 28, 2022