Dynamic, context-aware, least-privilege grid delegation

Abstract

Performing delegation in large scale, dynamic and distributed environments with large numbers of shared resources is more challenging than inside local administrative domains. In dynamic environments like Grids, on one hand, delegating a restricted set of rights reduces exposure to attack but also limits the flexibility and dynamism of the application; on the other hand, delegating all rights provides maximum flexibility but increases exposure. This issue has not yet been adequately addressed by current Grid security mechanisms and is becoming a very challenging and crucial issue for future Grid development. Therefore, providing an effective delegation mechanism which meets the requirements of the least privilege principle is becoming an essential need. Furthermore, we are witnessing a phenomenal increase in the automation of organizational tasks and decision making, as well as the computerization of information related services, requiring automated delegation mechanisms. In order to meet these requirements we introduce an Active Delegation Framework which extends our previous work on on-demand delegation, making it context-aware. The framework provides a just-in-time, restricted and dynamic delegation mechanism for Grids. In this paper we describe the development of this framework and its implementation and integration with the Globus Toolkit.