Secure mapping and aliasing of private keys used in public key cryptography
US6553493B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/3263
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method (200) for assigning a key pair to an entity, such as a certification authority (CA 102), includes the following steps. A key pair is generated (210). It includes a private key and a public key which form a key pair for use in public-key cryptography. The key pair is stored (220) in a cryptographic signing unit (CSU 140). The CSU (140) is then activated (230). A request for a key pair is received (240) from the entity (102). Responsive to the request, the key pair is assigned (250) to the entity (102). In a preferred embodiment, an identifier (312) is assigned to the key pair and preferably is different from identifiers assigned to other key pairs stored in the CSU (140). The identifier (312) is then included in a digital certificate (300) issued to the entity (102).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.