Patent ID: 6370251
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for recovering secure communication using a key escrow method which provides for the recovery of a traffic key which enables the recovery of plain traffic from encrypted traffic;comprising the steps of: generating (102) in a terminal an escrow key pair including a private portion and a public portion; providing an escrow key access number to the terminal, such escrow key access number being known only to an operator; encrypting (104) in the terminal the private portion with the escrow key access number to form an encrypted private portion; storing (106) the public portion and the encrypted private portion within the terminal; generating a key escrow field including a traffic key encrypted (113) with the public portion of the escrow key pair; communicating (116) the key escrow field to another terminal; and communicating (118) the traffic encrypted with the traffic key to another terminal.