METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SECURING A COMPUTER NETWORK

• US 20080086637A1
• Filed: 10/04/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Royalty, Charles D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,962,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

Methods and systems for establishing a secure access to a proprietary network is provided. The method includes establishing a communication link between a first device and the proprietary network using a first level of secure access to the network, requesting an access code by the first device. The method further includes generating an access code by the proprietary network in response to the request, receiving the access code by the first device, and entering the access code into a second device communicatively coupled to the proprietary network, wherein the second device is positioned in a secure location physically accessible only to an authorized user. The method also includes comparing the entered access code to the generated access code by the proprietary network, and enabling a second level of secure access between the first device and the proprietary network

Claims

1. A method of establishing a secure access to a proprietary network, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a communication link between a first device and the proprietary network using a first level of secure access to the network;

requesting an access code by the first device;

generating an access code by the proprietary network in response to the request;

receiving the access code by the first device;

entering the access code into a second device communicatively coupled to the proprietary network, wherein the second device is positioned in a secure location physically accessible only to an authorized user;

comparing the entered access code to the generated access code by the proprietary network; and

enabling a second level of secure access between the first device and the proprietary network.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said establishing a communication link between a first device and the proprietary network comprises establishing a communication link between a wireless device and the proprietary network.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receiving the access code by the first device comprises receiving the access code by the first device through the established communication link.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said entering the access code into a second device comprises manually entering the access code into the second device.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the proprietary network includes at least one of an internal network of an enterprise and a network of a mobile platform.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said requesting an access code by the wireless device comprises requesting an access code for a second level of secure access.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said entering the access code into a second device comprises entering the access code into the second device within a predetermined time-out period.

8. A secure proprietary network access system that provides location verification comprising:

a proprietary network under the physical control of an enterprise;

a first device adapted to communicate with the proprietary network using a first level of secure access to the proprietary network, the first device further adapted to receive an access code generated by the proprietary network for a second level of secure access to the proprietary network after receiving a request for the access code made by the first device;

a second device communicatively coupled to the proprietary network, wherein the second device is positioned in a secure location physically accessible only to an authorized user, said second device is configured to receive the access code from a user in physical control of the first device and to transmit the access code to the proprietary network;

wherein the proprietary network compares the access code transmitted by the second device to the access code generated by the proprietary network and if the access codes are identical, the proprietary network enables a second level of secure access between the first device and the proprietary network.

9. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first device is adapted to establish a wireless communication link between a first device and the proprietary network.

10. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second device is adapted to receive the access code manually entered by a user.

11. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein the proprietary network includes at least one of an internal network of an enterprise and a network of a mobile platform.

12. A method of establishing a secure access to a proprietary network, the method comprising the steps of:

communicating with the proprietary network from a wireless device through a first communication link having a first level of secure of access;

transmitting an access code for establishing a communication link having a second level of secure access to the wireless device;

entering the access code into a second device communicatively coupled to the proprietary network through a second communication link; and

enabling the second level of secure access for the first communication link for the wireless device.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12 further comprising requesting an access code for a second level of secure access by the wireless device.

14. A method in accordance with claim 12 further comprising:

generating an access code for a second level of secure access by the proprietary network based on a request by the wireless device; and

transmitting the access code to the wireless device through the first communication link.

15. A method in accordance with claim 12 transmitting an access code for establishing a communication link having a second level of secure access to the wireless device comprises transmitting the access code through the first communication link.

16. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein entering the access code into a second device comprises entering the access code into the second device located in a physically secure location known to the proprietary network.

17. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein entering the access code into a second device comprises entering the access code into the second device within a predetermined time period.

18. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein enabling the second level of secure access comprises comparing the entered access code to the transmitted access code.

19. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein communicating with the proprietary network from a wireless device comprises communicating with an internal network of an enterprise wherein the enterprise maintains physical control of the network.

20. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein communicating with the proprietary network from a wireless device comprises communicating with an aircraft data network.