Authorizing administrative operations using a split knowledge protocol
US8190905B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 29, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L63/083
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for authorizing administrative operations in a computer is provided. The computer initiates the split knowledge protocol upon an attempt by an administrator to invoke the operations. The administrator identifies a predetermined number of entities designated to authorize the operation. The computer creates a bit sequence and splits the bit sequence into a number of segments equal to the predetermined number of entities. Each entity thereafter decrypts a respective element to essentially authorize invocation of the operations. In response, the computer processes the decrypted segments to re-create the bit sequence. As an added level of security, the computer coma) pares the re-created bit sequence with the originally created sequence and, if they match, performs the operations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.