IP Library Granted Patent US 12,335,317
Granted Patent B2
US 12,335,317 · App. 18/593,909 · Granted Jun 17, 2025

Cybersecurity reconnaissance, analysis, and scoring using distributed systems

Inventors: Jason Crabtree (Vienna, VA); Joe Gray (Lenoir City, TN); Michael James (Independence, MO); Richard Kelley (Woodbridge, VA); Andrew Sellers (Monument, CO); Farooq Shaikh (Reston, VA)
Assignee: QOMPLX LLC
H04L63/20G06F16/2477G06F16/951H04L63/1425H04L63/1433H04L63/1441H04L63/1408
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,335,317
App. No.
18/593,909
Filed
Mar 2, 2024
Granted
Jun 17, 2025
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2497
USPC
726/22
Abstract

A system and method for cybersecurity reconnaissance, analysis, and scoring that uses distributed, cloud-based computing services to provide sufficient scalability for analysis of enterprise IT networks using only publicly available characterizations. The system and method comprise an in-memory associative array which manages a queue of vulnerability search tasks through a public-facing proxy network. The public-facing proxy network has search nodes configurable to present the network to search tools in a desired manner to control certain aspects of the search to obtain the desired results. A distributed data processing engine and cloud-based storage are used to provide scalable computing power and storage. Each of the cloud-based computing services is containerized and orchestrated for management and efficient scaling purposes.

Claims (61)

1. A computing system for cybersecurity reconnaissance, analysis, and scoring using distributed computing services, the computing system comprising:

one or more hardware processor configured for:

upon request by a user application:

receiving a domain name for reconnaissance and scoring; and

creating a first queue of Internet search tasks for the domain name using an in-memory associative array service, the search tasks comprising searches for, and receipt of search results for:

a domain name system search for domain name system records;

a domain name system search for domain name system sender policy framework records;

a domain name system search for domain name system domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance records; and

a domain name system search for domain name system zone transfer records;

implementing the first queue of Internet search tasks through one or more selectable attribute nodes of a public-facing proxy network;

identifying Internet protocol addresses associated with the domain name from the domain name system records; and

implementing a second queue of Internet protocol address scanning tasks for the identified Internet protocol addresses, the scanning tasks comprising an open port scan for each of a list of open ports for the domain name;

receiving a cybersecurity scoring model comprising category weights for a plurality of categories drawn from: domain name system records, domain name system sender policy framework records, domain name system domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance records, zone transfer records, and the list of open ports, and further comprising an algorithm for combining the categories using the category weights;

retrieving the search results and the list of open ports stored in a cloud-based storage bin;

calculating a cybersecurity score by applying the algorithm to the weighted categories; and

generating a cybersecurity profile for the domain name based on the cybersecurity score.

2. A computer-implemented method for cybersecurity reconnaissance, analysis, and scoring using distributed computing services, the computer-implemented method comprising:

upon request by a user application:

receiving a domain name for reconnaissance and scoring; and

creating a first queue of Internet search tasks for the domain name using an in-memory associative array service, the search tasks comprising searches for, and receipt of search results for:

a domain name system search for domain name system records;

a domain name system search for domain name system sender policy framework records;

a domain name system search for domain name system domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance records; and

a domain name system search for domain name system zone transfer records;

implementing the first queue of Internet search tasks through one or more selectable attribute nodes of a public-facing proxy network;

identifying Internet protocol addresses associated with the domain name from the domain name system records; and

implementing a second queue of Internet protocol address scanning tasks for the identified Internet protocol addresses, the scanning tasks comprising an open port scan for each of a list of open ports for the domain name;

receiving a cybersecurity scoring model comprising category weights for a plurality of categories drawn from: domain name system records, domain name system sender policy framework records, domain name system domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance records, zone transfer records, and the list of open ports, and further comprising an algorithm for combining the categories using the category weights;

retrieving the search results and the list of open ports stored in a cloud-based storage bin;

calculating a cybersecurity score by applying the algorithm to the weighted categories; and

generating a cybersecurity profile for the domain name based on the cybersecurity score.

3. A system for cybersecurity reconnaissance, analysis, and scoring using distributed computing services, comprising one or more computers with executable instructions that, when executed, cause the system to:

upon request by a user application:

receive a domain name for reconnaissance and scoring; and

create a first queue of Internet search tasks for the domain name using an in-memory associative array service, the search tasks comprising searches for, and receipt of search results for:

a domain name system search for domain name system records;

a domain name system search for domain name system sender policy framework records;

a domain name system search for domain name system domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance records; and

a domain name system search for domain name system zone transfer records;

implement the first queue of Internet search tasks through one or more selectable attribute nodes of a public-facing proxy network;

identify Internet protocol addresses associated with the domain name from the domain name system records; and

implement a second queue of Internet protocol address scanning tasks for the identified Internet protocol addresses, the scanning tasks comprising an open port scan for each of a list of open ports for the domain name;

receive a cybersecurity scoring model comprising category weights for a plurality of categories drawn from: domain name system records, domain name system sender policy framework records, domain name system domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance records, zone transfer records, and the list of open ports, and further comprising an algorithm for combining the categories using the category weights;

retrieving the search results and the list of open ports stored in a cloud-based storage bin;

calculating a cybersecurity score by applying the algorithm to the weighted categories; and

generating a cybersecurity profile for the domain name based on the cybersecurity score.

4. Non-transitory, computer-readable storage media having computer executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system for cybersecurity reconnaissance, analysis, and scoring using distributed computing services, cause the computing system to:

upon request by a user application:

receive a domain name for reconnaissance and scoring; and

create a first queue of Internet search tasks for the domain name using an in-memory associative array service, the search tasks comprising searches for, and receipt of search results for:

a domain name system search for domain name system records;

a domain name system search for domain name system sender policy framework records;

a domain name system search for domain name system domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance records; and

a domain name system search for domain name system zone transfer records;

implement the first queue of Internet search tasks through one or more selectable attribute nodes of a public-facing proxy network;

identify Internet protocol addresses associated with the domain name from the domain name system records; and

implement a second queue of Internet protocol address scanning tasks for the identified Internet protocol addresses, the scanning tasks comprising an open port scan for each of a list of open ports for the domain name;

receive a cybersecurity scoring model comprising category weights for a plurality of categories drawn from: domain name system records, domain name system sender policy framework records, domain name system domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance records, zone transfer records, and the list of open ports, and further comprising an algorithm for combining the categories using the category weights;

retrieving the search results and the list of open ports stored in a cloud-based storage bin;

calculating a cybersecurity score by applying the algorithm to the weighted categories; and

generating a cybersecurity profile for the domain name based on the cybersecurity score.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY DATA COMPANY NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 67566 FRAME 797. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 25, 2024
From: QOMPLX, INC.
To: QPX LLC
Reel/Frame 069048/0586 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 29, 2024
From: QPX LLC
To: QOMPLX LLC
Reel/Frame 067557/0279 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2024
From: CRABTREE, JASON; GRAY, JOE; JAMES, MICHAEL; KELLEY, RICHARD; SELLERS, ANDREW; SHAIKH, FAROOQ
To: QOMPLX, INC.
Reel/Frame 067557/0945 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2024
From: QOMPLX, INC.
To: QOMPLX LLC
Reel/Frame 067566/0797 →