Systems and methods for management and auto-generation of encryption keys

US7822206B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Peter Daniel Birk · Austin, US
• Keys D. Botzum · Columbia, US
• Ching-Yun Chao · Austin, US
• Hyen Vui Chung · Round Rock, US
• Alaine DeMyers · Austin, US
• Ut Van Lee · Austin, US
• James L. Lentz · Austin, US
• Mickella Ann Rosiles · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 26, 2006
• Grant date: Oct 26, 2010
• Expiry date: Apr 17, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L2209/24
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Systems, methods and media for managing and generating encryption keys are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor executes encryption key processing computer code to receive requests for keys from an application program. The processor determines whether the requesting application program executes on a node or server that is within the scope of machines authorized to receive the requested keys. If authorized, the processor produces a key map and sends the key map to the application program, enabling the application program to access one or more keys in the key map. The keys are updated automatically according to a specifiable schedule.