A system that validates a native code module. During operation, the system receives a native code module comprised of untrusted native program code. The system validates the native code module by: (1) determining that code in the native code module does not include any restricted instructions and/or does not access restricted features of a computing device; and (2) determining that the instructions in the native code module are aligned along byte boundaries such that a specified set of byte boundaries always contain a valid instruction and control flow instructions have valid targets. The system allows successfully-validated native code modules to execute, and rejects native code modules that fail validation. By validating the native code module, the system facilitates safely executing the native code module in the secure runtime environment on the computing device, thereby achieving native code performance for untrusted program binaries without significant risk of unwanted side effects.

A system that validates a native code module. During operation, the system receives a native code module comprised of untrusted native program code. The system validates the native code module by: (1) determining that code in the native code module does not include any restricted instructions and/or does not access restricted features of a computing device; and (2) determining that the instructions in the native code module are aligned along byte boundaries such that a specified set of byte boundaries always contain a valid instruction and control flow instructions have valid targets. The system allows successfully-validated native code modules to execute, and rejects native code modules that fail validation. By validating the native code module, the system facilitates safely executing the native code module in the secure runtime environment on the computing device, thereby achieving native code performance for untrusted program binaries without significant risk of unwanted side effects.

In general, in one aspect, a method includes receiving software code with an invalid characteristic, repeatedly attempting to execute the software code with the invalid characteristic on a device, and in response to successful execution of the software code with the invalid characteristic, taking an action. The action may include an action to remediate the device.

In general, in one aspect, a method includes receiving software code with an invalid characteristic, repeatedly attempting to execute the software code with the invalid characteristic on a device, and in response to successful execution of the software code with the invalid characteristic, taking an action. The action may include an action to remediate the device.

Disclosed herein are a dynamic security module server device for transmitting a dynamic security module to a user terminal and receiving a security management event from the user terminal, and a method of operating the dynamic security module server device. The dynamic security module server device includes a communication unit configured to transmit and receive a security management event over a network, and a processor configured to control the communication unit. The processor is configured to create a security session with the security client of a user terminal, and to transmit a dynamic security module to the security client of the user terminal so that part or all of code performing security management in the security client of the user terminal in which the security session has been created has a predetermined valid period.

A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes storing secure boot variables in a baseboard management controller; and sending the secure boot variables to a basic input/output system (BIOS) during a power on self-test, where the BIOS utilizes the secure boot variables during runtime to authenticate drivers and an operating system loader execution. In particular embodiments, the secure boot variables may be included in a white list, a black list, or a key list and, further, stored in erasable programmable read only memory.

A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes storing secure boot variables in a baseboard management controller; and sending the secure boot variables to a basic input/output system (BIOS) during a power on self-test, where the BIOS utilizes the secure boot variables during runtime to authenticate drivers and an operating system loader execution. In particular embodiments, the secure boot variables may be included in a white list, a black list, or a key list and, further, stored in erasable programmable read only memory.

Disclosed herein are a dynamic security module terminal device for receiving a dynamic security module and transmitting a security management event to a security server, and a method of operating the dynamic security module terminal device. The dynamic security module terminal device includes a communication unit configured to transmit and receive a security management event over a network, and a processor configured to control the communication unit. The processor is configured to create a security session with a security server, and to receive the dynamic security module from the security server so that part or all of code of the dynamic security module performing security management has a predetermined valid period.

Disclosed herein are a dynamic security module terminal device for receiving a dynamic security module and transmitting a security management event to a security server, and a method of operating the dynamic security module terminal device. The dynamic security module terminal device includes a communication unit configured to transmit and receive a security management event over a network, and a processor configured to control the communication unit. The processor is configured to create a security session with a security server, and to receive the dynamic security module from the security server so that part or all of code of the dynamic security module performing security management has a predetermined valid period.

Techniques are disclosed relating to automated operations management. In various embodiments, a computer system accesses operational information that defines commands for an operational scenario and accesses blueprints that describe operational entities in a target computer environment related to the operational scenario. The computer system implements the operational scenario for the target computer environment. The implementing may include executing a hierarchy of controller modules that include an orchestrator controller module at top level of the hierarchy that is executable to carry out the commands by issuing instructions to controller modules at a next level. The controller modules may be executable to manage the operational entities according to the blueprints to complete the operational scenario. In various embodiments, the computer system includes additional features such as an application programming interface (API), a remote routing engine, a workflow engine, a reasoning engine, a security engine, and a testing engine.