International Business Machines Corporation

Kenneth B Kerr

Richard Victor Kisley

Todd Weston Arnold

Elizabeth A Dames

Carsten D Frehr

Eric David Rossman

Eric B Smith

Michael James Kelly

Thomas J Dewkett

Eysha S Powers

Robert Petti

David Z Rossi

Aspects of the invention include generating a cryptographic key to restrict access to a resource. The cryptographic key being defined by a key token. An exemplary method includes designating a storage field in metadata of the key token, in metadata of a cryptographic key data set record that includes the key token, or in a resource access control database that controls use of the cryptographic key for inclusion of an indicator that the cryptographic key may or may not be deleted or modified. The indicator in the designated storage field is set to indicate whether or not the cryptographic key may be deleted or modified.

Safeguarding cryptographic keys from modification or deletion

According to one embodiment, a method for implementing secure key management is provided. The method includes populating a section of information associated with a key, the section being populated with information relating to how the key was created. The method also includes populating the section with information relating to how the key was acquired by a secure module; and binding the section to the key, wherein the key is encrypted.

Secure key management

According to one embodiment, a method for implementing computer security is provided. The method includes creating a token and populating a payload section of the token with key material and selecting a wrapping method that specifies how the key material is securely bound to key control information, wherein a structure of the key control information in the token is independent of the wrapping method. The method also includes wrapping the key material and binding key control information to the key material in the token, wherein the key control information includes information relating to usage and management of the key material.

A system for implementing computer security is provided. The system includes a computer processor and an application configured to execute on the computer processor, the application implementing a method that includes creating a token and populating a payload section of the token with key material and selecting a wrapping method that specifies how the key material is securely bound to key control information. A structure of the key control information in the token is independent of the wrapping method. Implementing computer security also includes wrapping the key material and binding key control information to the key material in the token. The key control information includes information relating to usage and management of the key material.

Secure key management includes populating a section of information associated with a key, the section of information being populated with information relating to a level of protection of the key accumulated over time. Secure key management further includes securely binding the section of information to the key, wherein the key is encrypted.

A computer program product for secure key management is provided. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for creating a token and populating the token with key material, and binding key control information to the key material. The key control information includes information relating to usage of the key material populating one or more key usage fields that define attributes that limit actions that may be performed with the key material.

Key usage policies for cryptographic keys

A computer program product for secure key management is provided. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for creating a token and populating the token with key material, and binding key control information to the key material. The key control information includes information relating to management of the key material populating one or more key management fields that define attributes that limit distribution of the key material.

Key management policies for cryptographic keys

A computer program product for secure key management is provided. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes creating a token and populating the token with key material, and binding key control information to the key material. The key control information includes information relating to usage of the key material populating one or more key usage fields that define attributes that limit actions that may be performed with the key material.

A computer program product for secure key management is provided. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes creating a token and populating the token with key material, and binding key control information to the key material. The key control information includes information relating to management of the key material populating one or more key management fields that define attributes that limit distribution of the key material.

A system for implementing secure key management is provided. The system includes a computer processor and an application configured to execute on the computer processor, the application implementing a method. The method includes populating a section of information associated with a key, the section being populated with information relating to how the key was created. The method also includes populating the section with information relating to how the key was acquired by a secure module; and binding the section to the key, wherein the key is encrypted.

A system for creating a secure key is provided that includes a computer processor and an application configured to execute on the computer processor, the application implementing a method that includes creating a token and populating a key control information section of the token with a value to indicate a minimum number of key parts used to form a key. Creating the secure key also includes populating a payload section of the token with a first key part, binding the key control information section to the payload section, adding a second key part to the first key part and iterating the value and binding the key control information section to the payload section after the second key part has been added. Creating the secure key further includes indicating the key is complete, wherein the key comprises a combination of the first and second key parts.

Secure key creation

Creating a secure key includes creating a token and populating a key control information section of the token with a value to indicate a minimum number of key parts used to form a key. Creating the secure key also includes populating a payload section of the token with a first key part, binding the key control information section to the payload section, adding a second key part to the first key part and iterating the value and binding the key control information section to the payload section after the second key part has been added. Creating the secure key further includes indicating the key is complete, wherein the key comprises a combination of the first and second key parts.

A system for secure key management is provided. The system includes a computer processor and an application configured to execute on the computer processor, the application implementing a method. The method includes populating a section of information associated with a key, the section of information being populated with information relating to a level of protection of the key accumulated over time. Secure key management further includes securely binding the section of information to the key, wherein the key is encrypted.

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New Paltz, NY, United States of America

Kenneth B Kerr