Patent ID: 8059821
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A system which maintains secure communications with a secure service despite a server-failure comprises: a primary server operable to provide the secure service, wherein the primary server receives validation information from a user and validates the user based on the validation information; message authentication information comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the primary server sends to the user the message authentication information upon validation of the user, and thereafter, the primary server receives a message from the user including at least some of the message authentication information; a data repository generating and storing a plurality of keys; a server failure protocol operable to detect that the primary server has failed and divert subsequent messages away from the failed primary server; and a backup server operable to receive the diverted messages, authenticate the diverted messages, and perform a requested operation of the secure service upon authentication of the diverted messages, wherein while authenticating the diverted messages, the backup server is operable to (a) identify a particular key of the plurality of keys based on the first portion of the message authentication information included in the diverted message, (b) calculate a value using the particular key, (c) compare the value to the second portion of the message authentication information included in the diverted message, and (d) determine that the diverted message is authentic based on the comparison.