Patent ID: 7689829

Claim:
An electronic data processing method comprising: performing, by a security check device, a security check to ascertain a user identity by comparing entered identity information with stored user identity data; associating the user identity with a user identifier stored in a first data store; associating the user identifier with at least one user group identifier stored in a second data store; selecting a user group identifier and acquiring at least one data key associated therewith from a centralized third data store including all available keys, wherein the at least one user group identifier and the at least one data key are associated with one another; and performing, by at least one processor, at least one of encrypting and decrypting data using the acquired at least one data key and inhibiting user recognition of the acquired at least one data key; wherein the data are medically relevant, users include personnel within a medical facility, and common user group identifiers are assigned the same data key.