Cloud-Based Access Control Including Time and Location

Abstract

Location-based services (LBS) offer various functionalities, but ensuring secure access to sensitive user data remains a challenge. Traditional access control methods often need more detail to enforce location-specific restrictions. This paper proposes a new approach that utilizes the Generalized Spatio-Temporal Role-Based Access Control Model (GSTRBAC) within the context of LBS. GSTRBAC grants access based on user credentials, authorized locations, and access times, providing a detailed approach to securing LBS data. We introduce an optimized cloud-based GSTRBAC implementation suitable for deployment in modern LBS architectures. The system uses two secure communication protocols tailored to different security requirements. This allows for efficient communication for less-sensitive data while offering robust protection for highly sensitive information. Additionally, a proof-of-concept mobile application demonstrates the system’s functionality and efficiency within an LBS environment. Our evaluation confirms the effectiveness of the cloud-based GSTRBAC implementation in enforcing location-specific access control while maintaining resource and time efficiency.