Patent ID: 7703128
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: storing, in a memory, instructions for performing the method; executing the instructions on a processor; according to the instructions being executed: managing lifecycles of multiple types of digital IDs and credentials assigned to a user, wherein the digital IDs and credentials are issued by a combination of issuers comprising: a key distribution authority, a key distribution center, and a license server; and abstracting the multiple types of digital IDs and credentials through a common application programming interface (API) layer of a digital identity management service (DIMS), enabling the multiple types of digital IDs and credentials to be uniformly configured, wherein a digital ID or credential abstracted by the common API layer includes opaque data, wherein the opaque data comprises a hash of a user password assigned to the user, whereby the DIMS is independent of any of a plurality of applications that utilize the multiple types of digital IDs and credentials, and wherein the DIMS relies on local policies to establish lifecycle management criteria.