IP Library Granted Patent US 12,155,688
Granted Patent B2
US 12,155,688 · App. 18/485,414 · Granted Nov 26, 2024

End-of-life management system

Inventors: Lawrence T. Belton, Jr. (Charlotte, NC); Ryan B. Benskin (Charlotte, NC); Peter A. Makohon (Huntersville, NC); Timothy H. Morris (Lexington, NC); Christopher J. Houser (Mount Holly, NC); Douglas C. Rambo (Davidson, NC)
Assignee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
H04L63/1433G06F9/44H04L63/1441
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,155,688
App. No.
18/485,414
Granted
Nov 26, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Network entities of a network system are managed in an end-of-life context. A network system is scanned to determine network entities such as hardware devices and/or software applications. A network entity can be identified as vulnerable based on end-of-life data. A risk score for the vulnerable network entity is computed based on the end-of-life data and optionally other factors, and a potentially mitigating action is determined based on the risk score.

Claims (41)

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by one or more processors, in response to querying, end-of-life information from the one or more data sources on a network system;

identifying, by the one or more processors at least one network entity on the network system as a vulnerable network entity based on the end-of-life information and projected support of the network entities;

computing, by the one or more processors a risk score for the vulnerable network entity based on the end-of-life information, and a measure of business stability of a vendor associated with the vulnerable network entity;

determining, by the one or more processors a potential mitigating action based on the risk score, wherein execution of the potential mitigating action triggers limiting network access to the vulnerable network entity; and

machine learning, by the one or more processors, a vendor tendency to predict when a network entity is likely to reach end-of-life based on vendor behavior towards other software applications or hardware provided by the vendor.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising continuously scanning the network system for the network entities.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising scanning the network system to identify the one or more network entities comprising at least one of a hardware or software entity.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying at least one of the one or more network entities as the vulnerable network entity based on the end-of-life information pertaining to whether a vendor is maintaining or discontinuing support.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying at least one of the one or more network entities as the vulnerable network entity based on a vendor contract.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising predicting end-of-life based on historical data regarding a network entity.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing cost benefit analysis with respect to two or more potential mitigating actions and selecting the action based on a result of the cost benefit analysis.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a schedule for managing end-of-life contracts, wherein the schedule predicts potential mitigating actions.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

altering a vendor contract according to the vendor tendency and a prediction about the network entity.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining the network entity is secure due to the network entity not reaching end-of-life status; and

determining that mitigating actions are not required for the entity based on the network entity reaching end-of-life status.

11. A system comprising:

a processor coupled to a memory that stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive, in response to querying, end-of-life information from the one or more data sources on a network system;

identify at least one network entity on the network system as a vulnerable network entity based on the end-of-life information and projected support of the network entities;

compute a risk score for the vulnerable network entity based on the end-of-life information, and a measure of business stability of a vendor associated with the vulnerable network entity;

determine a potential mitigating action based on the risk score, wherein execution of the potential mitigating action triggers limiting network access to the vulnerable network entity; and

machine learn a vendor tendency to predict when a network entity is likely to reach end-of-life based on vendor behavior towards other software applications or hardware provided by the vendor.

12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising instructions configured to cause the processor to continuously scan the network system for the network entities.

13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising instructions configured to cause the processor to scan the network system to identify the one or more network entities comprising at least one of a hardware or software entity.

14. The system of claim 11 , further comprising instructions configured to cause the processor to identify at least one of the one or more network entities as the vulnerable network entity based on the end-of-life information pertaining to whether a vendor is maintaining or discontinuing support.

15. The system of claim 11 , further comprising instructions configured to cause the processor to identify at least one of the one or more network entities as the vulnerable network entity based on a vendor contract.

16. The system of claim 11 , further comprising instructions configured to cause the processor to predict end-of-life based on historical data regarding a network entity.

17. The system of claim 11 , further comprising instructions configured to cause the processor to perform cost benefit analysis with respect to two or more potential mitigating actions and selecting the action based on a result of the cost benefit analysis.

18. The system of claim 17 , further comprising instructions configured to cause the processor to:

determine the network entity is secure due to the network entity not reaching end-of-life status; and

determine that mitigating actions are not required for the entity based on the network entity reaching end-of-life status.

19. The system of claim 11 , further comprising instructions configured to cause the processor to determine a schedule for managing end-of-life contracts, wherein the schedule predicts potential mitigating actions.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:

receive, in response to querying, end-of-life information from the one or more data sources on a network system;

identify at least one network entity on the network system as a vulnerable network entity based on the end-of-life information and projected support of the network entities;

compute a risk score for the vulnerable network entity based on the end-of-life information, and a measure of business stability of a vendor associated with the vulnerable network entity;

determine a potential mitigating action based on the risk score, wherein execution of the potential mitigating action triggers limiting network access to the vulnerable network entity; and

machine learn a vendor tendency to predict when a network entity is likely to reach end-of-life based on vendor behavior towards other software applications or hardware provided by the vendor.

Assignments (2)
ADDRESS CHANGE Recorded Jun 2, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 071769/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2023
From: BELTON, LAWRENCE T., JR.; BENSKIN, RYAN B.; MAKOHON, PETER A.; MORRIS, TIMOTHY H.; HOUSER, CHRISTOPHER J.; RAMBO, DOUGLAS C.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 065195/0274 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17070504 · Oct 14, 2020
Continuation 15598753 · May 18, 2017
Related Publication 20240039950A1 · Feb 1, 2024