Secure physical distribution of a security token through a mobile telephony provider's infrastructure

The present invention discloses a system and method of leveraging mobile telephone provider assets and distribution network to securely deliver security tokens, such as PKI certificates. The invention is not limited to using a mobile telephony infrastructure and other pre-existing distributions can also be used. In the invention, a user requested security token can be delivered to a storefront associated with a mobile telephone provider. The storefront can be one proximate to a requesting user. An optional activation key can also be conveyed to the requesting user. The requesting user can be required to physically travel to the storefront to receive the security token. At the storefront, an identity of the requesting user can be verified, such as through photo identification. The security token can be provided when the requesting user has been successfully verified. Use of the security token can still require activation involving the activation key.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of cryptography, and more particularly, the secure distribution of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate or other security token through a mobile telephony provider's infrastructure.

2. Description of the Related Art

User names and passwords are commonly used to authenticate a user for purposes of accessing secure content. By their nature, user name and password combinations can be very insecure. Conveyances of user name and password combinations are susceptible to interception through software. User name and passwords can also be intercepted in many other ways, including if someone watches the keys pressed while a password is typed. Passwords can also be weak in nature. Sometimes people have the habit of using repeating numbers, their birthday, or the name of someone or something they like. Such passwords are very easy to guess.

There are other, more secure methods of authentication. For example, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates are cryptographically generated tokens that can be used for authentication. These certificates are used to establish the identity of a party involved in a transmission of data. The use of PKI certificates for authentication involves the use of public and private key technology. The public key that is transmitted over the network is signed by a trusted third party, known as a certificate authority. The receiver of the certificate validates it against a set of trusted signing certificates stored in its local trust store. PKI certificates are constructed so they are very difficult to guess or to break using algorithmic methods.

Although PKI certificates generally provide a high level of protection, securely distributing these keys is difficult, in particular when attempting to provide them to a large population of otherwise unknown users. It is difficult to authoritatively establish the identity of a person over the internet in order to grant them a credential, and it is also problematic to attempt to convey that credential to a user over an insecure medium (e.g., the Internet). When conveyed, the PKI certificate can be intercepted. Once intercepted, the certificate can be used to fake the identity of the intended user.

What is needed is a secure means to distribute PKI certificates or other security tokens. Ideally, this distribution mechanism will not involve digitally conveying the certificate over a network since any counter-interception/encryption technique used during such a conveyance can be defeated. Optimally, PKI certificates, especially those protecting particularly valuable or sensitive resources, would be physically delivered to a verified user. The user would be required to provide verifiable physical proof as to their identity, such as a driver's license or similar artifacts. Such physical distribution of PKI certificates, however, would require an extensive infrastructure including a vast number of strategically positioned pick-up locations convenient for users. When PKI certificates are to be used for secure access to a large number of unrelated Web sites accessible over a public internet, the PKI pickup locations should span a wide geographic region, such as the continental United States.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention implements a secure procedure of delivery of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates and other security keys through a pre-existing infrastructure of mobile telephony providers. In this invention, the customer can request the PKI certificate from the mobile telephony provider. The mobile telephony provider can then request the certificate from a certificate authority. The certificate authority can review the request, sign the certificate, and then return it to the mobile telephony provider through private secure channels that are unable to be intercepted. The mobile telephony provider can then mail a personal identification number (PIN) or other activation key associated with the certificate to the customer. The provider can also securely deliver the certificate to a storefront geographically convenient for the customer. The customer can travel to the storefront, present identification and their mobile telephony device to a customer service representative. The customer service representative, after verifying the identity of the person, can then transfer the PKI certificate to the user's phone. The user can then use the associated PIN to activate the certificate. The user can also optionally transfer the key to a computing system for further use.

The present invention can be implemented in accordance with numerous aspects consistent with the material presented herein. For example, one aspect of the present invention can include a method for distributing Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates. In the method, an electronically submitted user request for a PKI certificate can be received from a remotely located computing device. The user request can be associated with a specific user. One of many different storefronts can be selected which are geographically located proximate to the specific user. A PKI certificate can be securely conveyed to the determined storefront along with a message including an identity of the specific user of the PKI certificate. A person can be required to physically be present in the storefront to pick-up the PKI certificate. This person can also be required to produce identifying information to verify that he/she is the specific user. In one embodiment, the distributor of the PKI certificates can be a mobile telephone provider. In another embodiment, the PKI certificate can be initially deactivated, where activation requires a PIN which is conveyed to a postal address of the specified user.

Another aspect of the present invention can include a method of leveraging mobile telephone provider assets to securely deliver security tokens. The method can include a step of distributing a user requested security token to a storefront associated with a mobile telephone provider. The storefront can be one proximate to a requesting user. An activation key can also be conveyed to the requesting user. The requesting user can be required to physically travel to the storefront to receive the security token. At the storefront, an identity of the requesting user can be verified, such as through photo identification. The security token can be provided when the requesting user has been successfully verified. Use of the security token can still require activation involving the activation key.

Still another aspect of the present invention can include a PKI certificate distribution system. The system can include a Web server, a certificate authority server, multiple storefronts, and a distribution server. The Web server can receive requests for PKI certificates from users via an unsecured network connection. The certificate authority server can generate PKI certificates. The storefronts can each include a storefront computing device. The distribution server can manage the PKI certificate request, can securely obtain PKI certificates from the certificate authority server for each received request, and can securely convey the obtained PKI certificates to one of the storefront computing devices proximately located to a requesting user. The requesting users can be required to physically travel to the storefronts to which the PKI certificates are delivered, where they can receive the certificate after presenting proper identification information. In one embodiment, the storefronts can be storefronts of a mobile telephone provider that is able to leverage a substantial pre-existing structure of storefronts and previously stored information regarding subscribers to securely convey PKI certificates to these subscribers.

It should be noted that various aspects of the invention can be implemented as a program for controlling computing equipment to implement the functions described herein, or a program for enabling computing equipment to perform processes corresponding to the steps disclosed herein. This program may be provided by storing the program in a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or any other recording medium. The program can also be provided as a digitally encoded signal conveyed via a carrier wave. The described program can be a single program or can be implemented as multiple subprograms, each of which interact within a single computing device or interact in a distributed fashion across a network space.

It should also be noted that the methods detailed herein can also be methods performed at least in part by a service agent and/or a machine manipulated by a service agent in response to a service request.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram of a system100showing a secure procedure to deliver a PKI certificate184or other security token in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. The system100can include numerous actions relating to obtaining and activating a security token (184). The actions include a request102action and a storefront195action. An additional action, an activation action220,250, is illustrated in system200. Unlike traditional methodologies which digitally convey a security token over a network and are subject to electronic interception, the present invention requires a user105to physically travel to a storefront195, where a user105is provided the requested security token after their identity has been verified.

The request102action can be initiated over a network140from a client110. For example, a user105can utilize a Web interface160of the client110to request a PKI certificate184or other security token (184). The interface160can prompt the user105for identifying information, such as a phone number, name, address, and zip code. A Web server150linked to a back-end server144can receive this request information. The back-end server144can record the request information in a data table156of an accessible data store152. The back-end server144can connect with a certificate authority server146over a secure channel which provides the server144with a security token (184).

In one embodiment, the server144can be associated with a mobile telephony provider which can provide mobile telephony service to a subscribing user105. In such a scenario, the server144can access information stored for the user105and compare it against information provided via the Web interface160. When this information is inconsistent, the PKI request can be terminated for security reasons. For enhanced security, the server144can require the security token (184) request be issued from a mobile phone (client110) for which the mobile telephony provider provides a service. Similarly, the server144can verify a request by calling a subscribing mobile device associated with a subscription plan. Once the security token184is received from the certificate authority146, a storefront195near the user105can be identified. This storefront can be explicitly selected by the user through interface160(not shown) or can be determined based upon a zip code or subscriber address.

In one arrangement, the security token184that is delivered to a storefront195can require activation, using an activation key122. This activation key122can be automatically generated by the server144and mailed124or otherwise conveyed to the user105. When conveyed though postal mail to a postal address, the server144may restrict the address to one associated with a mobile phone subscription. The activation key122can be a personal identification number (PIN), an alphanumeric sequence, or other security code. The message122that includes the activation key122can specify which storefront the security token184can be obtained from. A secure communication means can be used to convey the security token184to a store server148located at the storefront195.

The store server148can be linked to one or more service terminals190. A service terminal190can be a kiosk designed for self-service or can be a terminal used by a customer service agent. When the user105enters the storefront195, he/she can provide identification information182to verify their identity. When properly identified, the security token184can be delivered. In one arrangement, the token184can be delivered to a storage area of a mobile telephony device180. Further, an additional check can require the mobile telephony device180to be a device that the store server148identifies as belonging to user105. For example, the device180can be one which the mobile telephony provider provides service to.

As shown in system100, the identification information182can include any information able to verify an identity of a user105matches that of a person for whom the security token184is to be delivered. In one embodiment, the identification information182can be a photo identification, such as a driver's license, a military ID, a state ID, and the like. The identification information182can also include a credit card, which may be swiped to an automated kiosk190to confirm an identity of user105or presented to a customer service agent for the same purpose. The identification information182can also be verbally conveyed information or information digitally conveyed from device180which is able to be compared against subscriber information maintained by the mobile telephony provider. The identification information182can further include a PIN122or other authentication key which was previously sent124to the user105and is required before the security token184is delivered.

The security token184can be a key uniquely associated with a user105which has been produced by a certificate authority146. The security token184can be a PKI certificate184which can be utilized for authentication purposes to verify an identity with a system that requires strong authentication credentials. In one embodiment, the PKI certificate184can be used as a single authenticating token which can be used across a large number of unrelated Web sites accessible over a public internet.

The PKI certificate184can be delivered to the user105in either an activated or a de-activated state. When the PKI certificate184is delivered in an activated state, it can be conveyed by the user105to any computing device and immediately used. When delivered in a de-activated state, the user105will be required to active the certificate184before using it. Activation can require a communication with an activation server142and can require that a user provide the delivered PIN122.

FIG. 2shows a system200that illustrates two different activation situations which include local activation220and remote activation250. These activation situations220,250are not intended to constrain the invention and other activation techniques can be utilized and still be considered within the scope of the present invention.

In the local activation220situation, a user205can input the PIN222(which is equivalent to PIN122) to a computing device280within which the PKI certificate284is stored. The computing device280can include a software program able to activate the PKI Certificate284whenever a proper PIN222is entered. The computing device280can be the mobile telephony device280(e.g., device180, client105, or any other machine capable of executing the software program that activates the PKI certificate284). Once activated, the PKI certificate284can be used regardless of which device280it is contained within. That is, the user205can convey an activated certificate284to any device upon which the certificate284is to be used. In one configuration, security measures can be imposed to prevent an activated certificate284from being conveyed from one device to another, in which case the user205may be required to activate the certificate284once it has been conveyed to a new computing device.

In the remote activation250situation, activation of the PKI certificate284can occur within a remotely located activation server246. That is, the user205may be input the PIN222to device280or a client210to which the PKI certificate284has been conveyed. This device210can be communicatively linked to a network240connected to both the activation server246and a Web server242to which the certificate284authenticates the user205. When activation occurs in the activation server246, each use of the certificate284can require a communication with the server246. As such, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the activation server246can be specified within the PKI certificate284so that a utilizing server242knows where to check to determine whether the certificate284has been activated. While the remote activation250embodiment is potentially more secure than the local activation220embodiment, utilization of the PKI certificate284for authentication purposes is dependent upon the activation server246being online and accessible.

FIG. 3is a flow chart of a method300illustrating a secure distribution of a PKI certificate through a mobile telephony provider as described herein. Method300can be performed in the context of system100. The method300can include multiple asynchronously occurring processes that include a request302process, a storefront304process, and an activation/use306process.

The request302process can begin in step310, where the user can request a PKI certificate or other security token from a mobile telephony provider. More than one method of requesting the certificate can be available to the user, including but not limited to, a Web page, an automated telephony system, a physical request in a storefront, and the like. In step315, the mobile telephony provider can request the PKI certificate from a certificate authority. In step320, the certificate authority can sign and return the PKI certificate to the mobile telephony provider. The PKI certificate can be transferred in many secure ways, including, but not limited to, being transferred in a vehicle on a storage medium, transferred through a secure network, and the like. In step325, the mobile telephony provider can optionally send a unique PIN or other activation key associated with the PKI certificate to the user, which can be used to remove the risk of theft of the certificate by employees of the telephony provider prior to it being delivered to the requester. This message conveyance can occur through postal mail, a message delivered to a subscribing mobile device, through a fax message, and the like. In step330, the mobile telephony provider can securely deliver the PKI certificate to a storefront near the user. The PKI certificate can be transferred in many secure ways, including, but not limited to, being transferred in a vehicle on a storage medium, conveyed through carrier or postal mail, transferred through a secure network, and the like.

Once the request process302has been performed, the storefront304process can be utilized by a requestor. The storefront304process can begin in step340, where a user can travel to the local storefront where the PKI certificate has been delivered. In step345, the user can present identification information and a mobile telephony device to a customer service representative. In step350, the customer service representative can verify the user's identity and can transfer the PKI certificate to the mobile telephony device. The certificate can be transferred in many ways, including, but not limited to, a transfer cable that connects directly to the device, BLUETOOTH, or a network. Storage mediums other than a memory of a mobile device can also be used to receive the PKI certificate. In step355, the user leaves the storefront with the PKI certificate.

After the user has received the PKI certificate, the activation/use306process can be performed. The activation/use306process can begin in step360, where a user can input a PIN or activation key to activate the PKI certificate. Activation can be done in many ways including, but not limited to, on the mobile telephony device, on a computer using an existing network connection, through an automated telephony system, via an authentication server, and the like. In step365, the user can optionally transfer the certificate to a computing device for further use. In step370, the user can use the activated certificate to access secured information or to decrypt encrypted information.