VectorGuardProxy is a lightweight, auditable “message notarization” service. The /proxy command turns any business message (instructions, approvals, notices, alerts) into a tamper-evident record with verifiable provenance.
How it works (business view) • Provenance capture: When a user issues /proxy …, the system binds the message to the Client ID and Agent ID, adds a transport ID (the request), a precise timestamp, and a standardized envelope. • Integrity sealing: The full record is hashed (MD5, SHA-256, SHA-512). Any change to content or identifiers breaks the hash and is detectable. • Canonical output: The result is returned as human-readable text (for emails, chats, tickets) and structured data (for systems). Both carry identical IDs and hashes for reconciliation. • Observability: Every step is labeled (zone → feature → context → action → state) so operations can trace who did what, where, and when—without exposing sensitive device details in the visible record.
Why it matters • Regulatory readiness: Provides chain-of-custody style evidence for audits, subpoenas, SOX/GxP/ISO and internal controls—without a heavy compliance suite. • Dispute defense: Clear, time-stamped proof of approvals/notifications reduces losses from repudiation and “he-said/she-said” conflicts. • Vendor simplification: One core workflow replaces many bespoke “acknowledge/approve” plugins, cutting integration and license sprawl. • Security posture: Cryptographic sealing plus identity binding significantly raises the cost of spoofing, insider tampering, or log redaction.
Primary use cases 1. Executive approvals: Capital expenditures, pricing exceptions, vendor onboarding. 2. Operations handoffs: Shift changes, maintenance completions, incident bridges. 3. Customer communications: Critical notices (outages, recalls, compliance updates). 4. Procurement & finance: PO confirmations, rate locks, fund release instructions. 5. HR & legal: Policy acknowledgements, investigation notes, litigation holds.
Deployment options • Side-car service: Drop-in API in front of chat, ticketing, and email systems. • Gateway pattern: Enforce that specific workflows must pass through /proxy. • Embedded bot: Command available in collaboration tools (Slack/Teams/Matrix).
Data model (simplified) • Visible fields: transport ID, timestamp (epoch + human), client ID, agent ID, hashes. • Hidden in hash: device/profile constants retained for forensics but not displayed. • Outputs: text, html, and data (JSON) for downstream systems/archives.
Governance & controls • Policy binding: Only approved subcommands/“options” execute; everything else fails closed. • RBAC & rate limits: Enforced per client/agent; actions are enumerated and audited. • Retention: Configurable WORM storage integration for records that require immutability. • Privacy: No personal device details in the visible envelope; redaction rules configurable.
Integration & effort • API-first: Single endpoint; message + optional options array. • Low-code adapters: Webhooks for common systems (ServiceNow, Jira, Zendesk, O365/GSuite). • Backfill: Existing messages can be proxied in batch to bootstrap audit trails.
KPIs to track • % of critical workflows routed via /proxy • Median time from event → notarized record • Verification success rate (replay hash match) • Dispute rate reduction & avoided losses • Audit finding severity/volume trend
Risk & mitigation • Operational risk: Misuse or bypass → enforce gateway rules and alert on non-proxied events. • Key management: Hash trust requires secure key/material handling → use HSM/KMS and rotate. • Human error: Clear UX prompts and templated commands reduce malformed entries.
ROI snapshot • Cost avoidance: Fewer audit exceptions, reduced legal exposure, less vendor tooling. • Efficiency: Faster evidence production for audits and incidents. • Trust: Executives and regulators see a consistent, verifiable trail across channels.
Quick start (business process) 1. Identify 3–5 high-risk workflows (approvals, incident notices). 2. Require /proxy for those steps; publish a one-page usage SOP. 3. Connect archives (email journaling/DLP, ticketing, object storage). 4. Monitor KPIs and expand coverage quarterly.
Bottom line: VectorGuardProxy converts routine business communications into verifiable assets—strengthening compliance, reducing disputes, and simplifying your control stack with one auditable command.