Portunus - Re-imagining Access Control in Distributed Systems

This course focuses on re-imagining access control in distributed systems by introducing Portunus, a cryptographic storage and access control system utilizing attribute-based encryption (ABE). The learning outcomes include understanding the challenges of traditional access control solutions in distributed systems, learning how Portunus leverages ABE to provide fine-grained access control for TLS keys, and exploring the benefits of decentralized access control enforcement. The course teaches skills such as implementing cryptographic storage systems, utilizing attribute-based encryption for access control, and designing systems for high fault tolerance and low latency. The teaching method involves presenting real-world challenges, discussing the design and implementation of Portunus, and showcasing its deployment at scale. This course is intended for network and security infrastructure providers, system architects, security engineers, and individuals interested in distributed systems and access control mechanisms.