Patent ID: 7412603

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for providing data security, the method comprising: receiving a password from a user, the password being the user's password; utilizing the password to encrypt an encryption component, wherein utilizing the password comprises applying the password to the encryption component so as to produce a user-specifically encrypted version of the encryption component, the user-specifically encrypted version being user-specific in that the encryption process applied to the encryption component factors in the user's password, and wherein the encryption component is a collection of data that specifies an encryption or decryption process; storing the user-specifically encrypted version of the encryption component, wherein storing comprises storing the user-specifically encrypted version of the encryption component within a record that is associated with the user; selectively allowing the user to process the user-specifically encrypted version of the encryption component so as to derive the encryption component, wherein selectively allowing further comprises selectively allowing the user to decrypt the user-specifically encrypted version of the encryption component so as to regain access to the encryption component itself; utilizing the decrypted encryption component to process sensitive data; receiving a second password from a different user, the second password being the different user's password; and utilizing the second password to encrypt the encryption component, wherein utilizing the second password comprises applying the second password to the encryption component so as to produce a second user-specifically encrypted version of the encryption component, the second user-specifically encrypted version being user-specific in that the encryption process applied to the encryption component factors in the different user's password; and storing the second user-specifically encrypted version of the encryption component, wherein storing comprises storing the second user-specifically encrypted version of the encryption component within a record that is associated with the different user.