Patent ID: 7051200
Filing Date: 2006-05-23
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of facilitating the use of a software process with one of a plurality of secure repositories, said method comprising the acts of: providing an interface, said interface being callable by said software process; if said one of said plurality of secure repositories is said first of said plurality of secure repositories, providing a first set of computer-executable instructions which are invocable by said callable interface; and if said one of said plurality of secure repositories is said second of said plurality of secure repositories, providing a second set of computer-executable instructions which are invocable by said callable interface, said second set of computer-executable instructions being different from said first set of computer-executable instructions, wherein said first of said plurality of secure repositories comprises a software module that uses a cryptographic algorithm to apply a cryptographic key to data without said cryptographic key being accessible to said cryptographic algorithm applied by said first of said plurality of secure repositories, and wherein said second of said plurality of secure repositories comprises a hardware module that uses said cryptographic algorithm to apply said cryptographic key to data, said hardware module further comprising hardware that resists or prevent divulgence of said cryptographic key outside of said hardware module.