Abstract: For a given file type, an optimal number of threads to use to copy files of each of a number of different discrete file sizes is determined, using a temporal difference learning, reinforcement learning approach in which file copy time is used as feedback reward reinforcement. A continuous function corresponding to the given file type and outputting the number of threads to use to copy files having this given file type and that are of any input file size is fitted onto the optimal numbers of threads determined for the discrete file sizes.

Abstract: Techniques for authentication via a mobile device are provided. A mobile device is pre-registered for website authentication services. A user encounters a website displaying an embedded code as an image alongside a normal login process for that website. The image is identified by the mobile device, encrypted and signed by the mobile device and sent to a proxy. The proxy authenticates the code and associates it with the website. Credentials for the user are provided to the website to automatically authenticate the user for access to the website bypassing the normal login process associated with the website.

Abstract: The system and method for determining fuzzy cause and effect relationships in an intelligent workload management system described herein may combine potential causes and effects captured from various different sources associated with an information technology infrastructure with substantially instantaneous feedback mechanisms and other knowledge sources. As such, fuzzy correlation logic may then be applied to the combined information to determine potential cause and effect relationships and thereby diagnose problems and otherwise manage interactions that occur in the infrastructure. For example, information describing potential causes and potential effects associated with an operational state of the infrastructure may be captured and combined, and any patterns among the information that describes the multiple potential causes and effects may then be identified.

Abstract: An update change request that is made against attributes of a directory object causes automatically collection of customized information for an initiator of the request. A correlation identifier for the change request is generated. The changes to the attributes are processed to update the directory object and the customized information is updated to an extension attribute for the directory object. A unique audit event is raised for each changed attribute including the extension attribute and each audit event includes the correlation identifier.

Abstract: An existing application processing on a client device initiates a function to provide a hard coded credential to a remote target application for purposes of logging into and gaining access to the remote target application. A hook to the function causes an agent to be activated, the agent dynamically contacts a credential vault to obtain a randomly generated credential for access to the remote target application. The hook injects the randomly generated credential over the hard coded credential supplied by the existing application and the function is initiated. The function logs into the target application using the randomly generated credential providing the existing application access to the remote target application. The hard coded credential is bypassed by the randomly generated credential.

Abstract: Techniques for authentication via a mobile device are provided. A mobile device is pre-registered for website authentication services. A user encounters a website displaying an embedded code as an image alongside a normal login process for that website. The image is identified by the mobile device, encrypted and signed by the mobile device and sent to a proxy. The proxy authenticates the code and associates it with the website. Credentials for the user are provided to the website to automatically authenticate the user for access to the website bypassing the normal login process associated with the website.

Abstract: Techniques for cloud control and management are provided. The control, creation, and management of workloads in distributed infrastructures are coordinated via a master Configuration Management Database (CMDB). The master CMDB is also used to unify the multiple distributed infrastructures so that the workloads are rationalized. Moreover, data centers are coordinated with the distributed infrastructures so the configuration settings and policies included in the master CMDB are enforced and synchronized throughout the network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus teach a digital spectrum of a file. The digital spectrum is used to map a file's position in a multi-dimensional space. This position relative to another file's position reveals distances between the files. Closest files can be grouped together. When contemplating voluminous numbers of files for digital spectrums, various methods include: concatenating all such files together to get a single key useful for creating a file's spectrum; or compressing files individually and combining their collective dictionaries into a single dictionary with or without the use of tree mechanisms that defines the digital spectrum. Each provides advantage over the other. The latter consumes considerably less run time because each compression event can be distributed to a separate processor. Method two provides better spectrums because it is more “informationally” valid than is method one.

Abstract: Techniques for security auditing of cloud resources are provided. A virtual machine (VM) is captured and isolated when a session indicates that a session with the VM has terminated. Security checks are executed against the VM in the isolated environment. Results from the security checks are then reported.

Abstract: An authenticated session with a remote system is established and identified through an authentication token for the session. During that session, a resource is accessed requiring additional authentication beyond what the authentication token was originally authorized for. Out-of-band processing from the existing session performs the additional authentication and permission from the authentication token are upgraded to include permissions for accessing the resource during the session. The resource is accessed during the session with the authentication token having the upgraded permissions.

Abstract: Techniques for identity and policy enforced cloud communications are presented. Cloud channel managers monitor messages occurring within a cloud or between independent clouds. Policy actions are enforced when processing the messages. The policy actions can include identity-based restrictions and the policy actions are specific to the messages and/or clouds within which the messages are being processed.

Abstract: File mapping and converting for dynamic disk personalization for multiple platforms are provided. A volatile file operation is detected in a first platform. The file supported by the first platform. A determination is made that the file is sharable with a second platform. The volatile operation is performed on the file in the first platform and the modified file is converted to a second file supported by the second platform. The modified file and second file are stored in a personalized disk for a user. The personalized disk is used to modify base images for VMs of the user when the user accesses the first platform or second platform. The modified file is available within the first platform and the second file is available within the second platform.

Abstract: Cloud protection techniques are provided. A security breach is detected in a source cloud environment. An enterprise system processing in the source cloud environment is immediately locked down and is dynamically migrated to a target cloud environment. While the enterprise system is migrating, the source cloud environment creates a fake environment with fake resources within the source cloud environment to dupe an intruder having access as a result of the security breach. Metrics and logs are gathered with respect to activities of the intruder within the source cloud environment.

Abstract: Mechanisms to persist object relations are provided. A project is defined as a series of interrelated objects having dependencies and relationships with one another. The dependencies and relationships are maintained via a storage organization for files that define the objects within a project storage environment for the project. Thus, the dependencies and relationships are not maintained via hardcoded instructions or references that are included within the files.

Abstract: Techniques for sharing virtual machine (VM) resources are provided. A relative location for a resource within a VM is created; the relative location dynamically resolves to a particular physical location when a principal requests access to the resource at runtime. The principal is located outside an environment associated with the VM. Authentication and access restrictions are dynamically enforced against the requests made by the principal before a connection is permitted between the principal and the resource (the resource located within the environment of the VM).

Abstract: System and method for providing cloud computing services are described. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cloud computing environment comprising resources for supporting cloud workloads, each cloud workload having associated therewith an internal cloud address; and a routing system disposed between external workloads of an external computing environment and the cloud workloads, the routing system for directing traffic from an external address to the internal cloud addresses of the cloud workloads. A designated one of the cloud workloads obtains one key of a first pair of cryptographic keys, the first pair of cryptographic keys for decrypting encrypted storage hosted within the cloud computing environment.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual Representational State Transfer (REST) interfaces are provided. A proxy is interposed between a client and a REST service over a network. The proxy performs independent authentication of the client and provides credentials to the client and for the client to authenticate to the REST service using a REST service authentication mechanism. The proxy inspects requests and responses and translates the requests and responses into formats expected by the client and the REST service. Moreover, the proxy enforces policy and audits the requests and responses occurring between the client and the REST service over the network.

Abstract: Techniques for preventing information disclosure via dynamic secure cloud resources are provided. Data (information) remotely housed on a particular cloud resource of a particular cloud is periodically, randomly, and dynamically changed to a different cloud resource within the same cloud or to a different cloud resource within an entirely different cloud. A requesting principal for the data is dynamically authenticated and a current location for the data is dynamically resolved and the principal is securely and dynamically connected to the current cloud resource and current cloud hosting the data for access.

Abstract: Techniques for spawning workloads are provided. A single repository is read once to obtain an image for a workload or files and resources for the image. The read operation spawns multiple, and in some cases, concurrent write operations, to instantiate the workload over a network as multiple occurrences or instances of the workload in multiple processing environments.

Abstract: Mechanisms to secure data on a hard reset of a device are provided. A hard reset request is detected on a handheld device. Before the hard reset is permitted to process an additional security compliance check is made. Assuming, the additional security compliance check is successful and before the hard reset is processed, the data of the handheld device is backed up to a configurable location.