Methods and systems for transparent data encryption and decryption
US7426745B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F21/10
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for transparently encrypting (and decrypting) sensitive data stored in a directory (or other database) is provided. Sensitive data, a password for example, may be required by a client in a distributed data processing environment. When the database entry is created, the sensitive data received from a user, or more generally, a client, may be encrypted, and saved in the directory entry in encrypted form. Encryption of sensitive data may be performed in accordance with a predetermined set of policies. When the sensitive information is needed, it may be selectively delivered in encrypted or unencrypted form based on a policy in the set. Policies may include criteria external to the database, and interfaced to the database via a policy engine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.