Patent ID: 6229894
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a secure system that includes a server and a plurality of end-users, wherein the server stores a copy of long term decryption private keys for each of the plurality of end-users, a method for the server to process a request for access to user specific encryption information of one of the plurality of end-users, the method comprises the steps:a) receiving, from a requesting entity, a request for access to the user specific encryption information, wherein the requesting entity includes at least one of: one of the plurality of end-users, a system administrator of the secure system, and a third party not affiliated with the secure system;b) determining authorized level of access of the requesting entity to the user specific encryption information based on at least one of identity of the requesting entity and the request; andc) providing the requesting entity with controlled access to the user specific encryption information based on the authorized level of access.