Patent ID: 7257834
Filing Date: 2007-08-14
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A security database that stores, retrieves, and updates selected security information in response to application program interface calls of an authentication and authorization system to authenticate user identities and authorize access to resources, wherein the selected security information is stored as a data structure, the data structure comprising: a primary authentication structure containing primary authentication information, wherein the primary authentication structure is superior to all other structures in the security database; an alternate authentication structure containing general alternate authentication information, wherein the alternate authentication structure is subordinate to the primary authentication structure; a legacy authentication structure containing legacy authentication information, wherein the legacy authentication structure is subordinate to the primary authentication structure; an administrative structure containing administrative information for administrative activity within the components of the overall data structure, wherein the administrative structure is subordinate to the primary authentication structure; and at least one cross-reference structure that breaks down many to many relationships between the primary authentication structure and a subordinate structure into any of a one to many, many to one, or one to one relationship, wherein the cross-reference structure is subordinate to the primary authentication structure and superior to the subordinate structure.