Patent ID: 7908492
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for performing cryptographic functions, the method comprising: engaging a removable storage media with a media reading device coupled to a system unit, wherein the system unit includes a hardware security unit and a device driver for controlling the media reading device; and wherein the removable storage media contains a first private key corresponding to a first asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a first public key corresponding to a second asymmetric cryptographic key pair, and wherein the hardware security unit contains a second private key corresponding to the second asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a second public key corresponding to the first asymmetric cryptographic key pair; performing a mutual authentication operation between the removable storage media and the hardware security unit based upon the first and second asymmetric cryptographic key pairs; and in response to successfully performing the mutual authentication operation, enabling the system unit to invoke cryptographic functions on the hardware security unit while the removable storage media remains engaged to the media reading device.