Abstract: In one aspect, a method for defining a group-based policy for access to computing resources by an application/container or a group of application/container, includes the step of with a credential server: specifying a computing resource; specifying a group name and a strong cryptographic identity associated with the group name. The method includes the step of specifying a policy for an application/container belonging to a specific group to access the set of resources belonging to another group. The method includes the step of with a handler process: reading a list of subnets for which authentication is to be enforced. The method includes the step of processing an initiate authentication request with an initiator of a new network connection or initiating a new authentication request with the initiator of the network connection.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a new method and apparatus for the management of application/container process identity for authentication and enforcing group-based security policies. Identities and security policies are managed in the cloud. Strong cryptographic identities or digital certificates are provided to each application/container or group of applications/containers. Applications/containers use these digital certificates to mutually authenticate each other before providing access to their resources.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for defining a group-based policy for access to computing resources by an application/container or a group of application/container, includes the step of with a credential server: specifying a computing resource; specifying a group name and a strong cryptographic identity associated with the group name. The method includes the step of specifying a policy for an application/container belonging to a specific group to access the set of resources belonging to another group. The method includes the step of with a handler process: reading a list of subnets for which authentication is to be enforced. The method includes the step of processing an initiate authentication request with an initiator of a new network connection or initiating a new authentication request with the initiator of the network connection.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a new method and apparatus for he management of application/container process identity for authentication and enforcing group-based security policies. Identities and security policies are managed in the cloud. Strong cryptographic identities or digital certificates are provided to each application/container or group of applications/containers. Applications/containers use these digital certificates to mutually authenticate each other before providing access o their resources.