Synchronizable hardware security module
US10764047B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 2019 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2463/062
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An HSM cluster includes a set of hardware security modules that maintain a set of cryptographic keys that are synchronized across the HSM cluster. Individual applications running on client computer systems access the HSM cluster using HSM duster clients running on the client computer systems. The HSMs are accessed via a set of HSM cluster servers that monitor the synchronization of the cryptographic keys. Synchronization of the HSMs is maintained by the HSM cluster clients. If the HSM cluster loses synchronization, an HSM cluster client resynchronizes the HSM cluster by acquiring a list of keys and key versions stored on each HSM, and generating an update map. Using the update map, the HSM client obtains, form various HSM in the HSM cluster, the latest versions of the out-of-date keys in an encrypted form. The HSM cluster client assembles and distributes updates to each HSM in the HSM cluster.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.