Volatile key apparatus for safeguarding confidential data stored in a computer system memory

Patent 6292899 Issued on September 18, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date:

September 23, 2018. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

5117457

Electro-active cradle circuits for the detection of access or penetration
Patent #: 5353350
Issued on: 10/04/1994
Inventor: Unsworth, et al.

Microprocessor with single pin for memory wipe
Patent #: 5515540
Issued on: 05/07/1996
Inventor: Grider, et al.

Method and apparatus for securing executable programs against copying Patent #: 5675645
Issued on: 10/07/1997
Inventor: Schwartz, et al.

Inventor

McBride, Randall C.

Application

No. 159069 filed on 09/23/1998

US Classes:

380/281, Using master key (e.g., key-encrypting-key)380/284, Using master key (e.g., key-encrypting-key)713/165, File protection713/185, Using record or token713/193, By stored data protection713/194Tamper resistant

Examiners

Primary: Swann, Tod R.
Assistant: Callahan, Paul E.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Duft, Graziano & Forest, P.C.

Foreign Patent References

0 583 140 A1 EP. 02/13/1994

International Class

G06F 012/14

Abstract

The data security system uses a volatile key apparatus to create and manage a master file, comprising a single encrypted file that is stored on the hard drive of the computer system. The master file contains all of the passwords, cryptokeys and security codes that are used by conventional security programs and apparatus resident on the computer system to safeguard the confidential data that is contained in the memory of the computer system. The master key that is used to encrypt and decrypt this master file is stored in the volatile key apparatus, which is a piece of hardware located in the personal computer and directly connected to the system bus. When a violation of the system security procedures is detected, the master key is erased from the volatile key apparatus, thereby preventing access to the encrypted information that is stored on the hard drive. The encryption protected data can still be retrieved from the hard drive by the authorized user reinstalling the master key in the volatile key apparatus, thereby enabling decryption of the encrypted passwords, cryptokeys and security codes that are stored in the master file. The conventional security programs and apparatus resident on the computer system can then use the contents of the master file to retrieve the encrypted data from the memory.