Secure management of keys using control vectors with multi-path checking

US5103478A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Stephen M. Matyas · Manassas, US
• Dennis G. Abraham · Concord, US
• Donald B. Johnson · Manassas, US
• Ramesh K. Karne · Herndon, US
• An V. Le · Manassas, US
• Patrick McCormack · Newport Beach, US
• Rostislaw Prymak · Dumfries, US
• John D. Wilkins · Somerville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 12, 1990
• Grant date: Apr 7, 1992
• Expiry date: Oct 12, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L2209/12
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A requested cryptographic function is validated for performance in conjunction with a cryptographic key, by inputting a first portion of an associated control vector into a first control vector checker, which outputs a first authorization signal if the requested cryptographic function has been authorized by the originator of the key. A second portion of the control vector is input to a second control vector checker, which outputs a second authorization signal if the requested cryptographic function has been authorized by the originator of the key. Both the first and the second authorization signals are applied to a cryptographic processor which initiates the execution of the requested cryptographic function.