Patent ID: 7490248
Filing Date: 2009-02-10
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for re-encrypting one or more data items that are encrypted and stored in a database, where said re-encrypting being an automated background process, said method for re-encrypting comprising the steps of: in an initial time period, encrypting and storing the one or more data items in the database, wherein: entering a next time period, the next time period being at least subsequent to the time period(s) during which the one or more data items were updated or inserted into the database and having a corresponding time length, and wherein: generating a new encryption key with an associated key life at the start of the next time period; scanning the data base and identifying whether any of the one or more encrypted data items were previously encrypted using an encryption key now determined to be expired, wherein key expiration being determined from the key life and time stamp associated with the encrypted one or more data items in the database; and identifying any of the one or more encrypted data items stored in the database that were determined to be previously encrypted using a now expired encryption key, and wherein: