System for providing network access security

• US 20070109098A1
• Filed: 07/26/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemon Company The (The Siemon Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Siemon Company The (The Siemon Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Siemon, John, Higbie, Carrie
• Application Number:
  US11/493,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20070109098A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/162 at the data link layer

Abstract

A system for controlling access to a network, the system comprising: a network access point; an identity reader associated with the network access point, the identity reader receiving an identity of a user attempting to access the network at the network access point; a security controller for receiving the identity of the user and determining if the user is authorized to access the network; a network switch coupled to the network access point, the network switch enabling the network access point if the user is authorized to access the network, the network switch disabling the network access point if the user is not authorized to access the network.

Claims

1. A system for controlling access to a network, the system comprising:

a network access point;

an identity reader associated with the network access point, the identity reader receiving an identity of a user attempting to access the network at the network access point;

a security controller for receiving the identity of the user and determining if the user is authorized to access the network;

a network switch coupled to the network access point, the network switch enabling the network access point if the user is authorized to access the network, the network switch disabling the network access point if the user is not authorized to access the network.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an intelligent patching controller receiving authorization from the security controller to enable network access for the user, the intelligent patching controller commanding the network switch to enable access to one or more network access points.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the network access point is a wall outlet.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein network access point is a wireless access point.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the identity reader is a card reader.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein identity reader is biometric reader.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein identity reader is an RFID reader.

8. The system of claim 3 wherein the identity reader is integrated with a faceplate surrounding the outlet.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein the intelligent patching controller logs user identities attempting to access the network.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the network switch disables the network access point after a period of inactivity at the network access point.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein if the identity reader is not in communication with the security controller, the network switch disables network access for the network access point.