Methods and systems for and defining and distributing information alerts
First Claim
1. A knowledge switch comprising:
- (a) a logic kernel for receiving event information regarding a security event for which an information alert has been defined, for locating the corresponding information alert, and for automatically distributing the information alert to intended recipients;
(b) a content database accessible by the logic kernel for storing information received from public and private computer networks, the information including the information alert;
(c) a profiles module for storing user profiles including information for distributing the the information alert to the intended recipients, the profiles module including a contact list template for receiving input from a user for defining a plurality of different contact profiles of the user for delivering the information alert to the user, each contact profile indicating at least one mode and contact information for delivering the information alert to the user in the at least one mode, and a schedule template for associating a plurality of different time periods with the different contact profiles, wherein the knowledge switch is adapted to deliver the information alert to the user using at least one of the contact profiles and time periods specified by the user;
(d) a plurality of input/output modules for distributing the information alert to the intended recipients via defined user devices; and
(e) a knowledge switch configurator including functionality for allowing an administrator to define the event information, the information alert to be associated with the event information, and content to be included in the information alert, the content including a directive for instructing the intended recipients regarding action to be taken in response to the security event.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for defining and distributing information alerts include presenting a user with a series of templates that allows the user to define security events, information alerts to be triggered by the events, and intended recipients for the alerts. Intended recipients for the alerts are presented with templates that allow the individuals to input contact and schedule information for receiving the information alerts. A knowledge switch uses the event definitions and the contact and schedule information to detect events and distribute the information alerts to the intended recipients when an event occurs. The information alerts include directives that instruct intended recipients regarding action to be taken in response to a security event.
82 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A knowledge switch comprising:
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(a) a logic kernel for receiving event information regarding a security event for which an information alert has been defined, for locating the corresponding information alert, and for automatically distributing the information alert to intended recipients; (b) a content database accessible by the logic kernel for storing information received from public and private computer networks, the information including the information alert; (c) a profiles module for storing user profiles including information for distributing the the information alert to the intended recipients, the profiles module including a contact list template for receiving input from a user for defining a plurality of different contact profiles of the user for delivering the information alert to the user, each contact profile indicating at least one mode and contact information for delivering the information alert to the user in the at least one mode, and a schedule template for associating a plurality of different time periods with the different contact profiles, wherein the knowledge switch is adapted to deliver the information alert to the user using at least one of the contact profiles and time periods specified by the user; (d) a plurality of input/output modules for distributing the information alert to the intended recipients via defined user devices; and (e) a knowledge switch configurator including functionality for allowing an administrator to define the event information, the information alert to be associated with the event information, and content to be included in the information alert, the content including a directive for instructing the intended recipients regarding action to be taken in response to the security event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A hierarchical system of knowledge switches for delivering alerts to end users, the system comprising:
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(a) a plurality of first knowledge switches located at predetermined points of presence for receiving security event information, for locating corresponding information alerts, and for distributing the information alerts over a computer network, wherein the information alerts each include a directive for instructing intended recipients on action to be taken in response to the corresponding security event; and (b) a plurality of second knowledge switches located at predetermined agencies, the second knowledge switches being coupled to the first knowledge switches via the computer network, each second knowledge switch being configured to receive the information alerts, apply a policy level to the information alerts, and distribute the information alerts to selected end users associated with each second knowledge switch based on the policy level, wherein each of the first and second knowledge switches includes a contact list template for receiving input from a user for defining a plurality of different contact profiles of the user, each contact profile including at least one mode and contact information for delivering an information alert to the user in the at least one mode, and a schedule template for associating a plurality of different time periods with the different contact profiles, wherein each of the knowledge switches is adapted to deliver an information alert to its respective users using the contact profiles and times specified by the users. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for defining and distributing information alerts, the method comprising:
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(a) presenting a user with a plurality of templates for configuring a knowledge switch to identify event information regarding a security event, to provide an information alert including user-defined content, and to automatically distribute the information alert to the intended recipients in response to receiving the event information, wherein presenting the user with a plurality of templates includes providing a contact list template to the user for receiving input from the user for defining a plurality of different contact profiles of the user, each contact profile including at least one mode and contact information for distributing an information alert to the user in the at least one mode, and providing a schedule template for associating different times with the contact profiles; (b) receiving, via the templates, event definition information for defining the security event and receiving content for the information alert to be delivered to the intended recipients, wherein receiving content for the information alert includes receiving a directive instructing the intended recipients on how to respond to the security event; (c) receiving, via the contact list and schedule templates, a plurality of different information alert delivery modes and corresponding times for each of the intended recipients; and (d) automatically distributing the information alert to the intended recipients using the information provided via the templates, wherein automatically distributing the information alert to the intended recipients includes distributing the information alert to each recipient using at least one of the plurality of contact profiles and times defined for each recipient. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification