Abstract: The present disclosure relates to utilizing a hierarchical network communication system to efficiently manage and monitor a controlled hierarchical network. In particular, the hierarchical network communication system utilizes gateway services embedded among various architecture levels of a controlled hierarchical network to facilitate secure communications between levels of the hierarchical network as well as with an authorized external computing device or computing system. In various instances, the gateway service includes various components and elements that facilitate inter-network level communication as well as remote management, including monitoring, configuring, and upgrading components and resources at each level of the controlled hierarchical network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for knowledge-based authentication by a cloud-based authentication service are described. A cloud-based authentication service is to track credential usage of an end-user at the cloud-based authentication service. The authentication service receives a credential request for credentials associated with the end-user from a relying party website. The end-user no longer has authentication credentials for access to the relying party website. The authentication service issues a dynamic knowledge-based (KB) challenge to the end-user, the dynamic KB challenge being based on at least some of the tracked credential usage of the end-user. The processing logic receives a response to the dynamic KB challenge from the end-user and sends temporary credentials to the relying party for the end-user when the response is validated.