Patent ID: 7916871
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for storing and retrieving a cryptographic private key, comprising: calculating a one-way hash value of an initial cryptographic private key; generating by a microprocessor a plurality of key segments within a secure boundary of a first device, at least a first of the plurality of key segments being a random number, and at least a second of the plurality of key segments being a combination of the random number and a portion of the initial cryptographic private key; distributing each of the plurality of key segments from the first device to one of a plurality of trusted users outside the secure boundary of the first device; and when the cryptographic private key is to be recovered: wherein the cryptographic private key is at least initially maintained in a data center and is configured as an encoding key for use with a plurality of postal security devices (PSDs) that communicate with the data center for replenishment of postage funds, each of the PSDs having a cryptographic public key corresponding to the cryptographic private key; and using the recovered key as the private key in the cryptographic communication system includes the data center replenishing postage funds in at least one of the plurality of PSDs using the recovered key as the private key.