Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Kirk Blackwood

Pavel Anatolievich Dournov

Anthony James Yeates

Brendan O'Meara

Donna Lynn Whitlock

Derrick Steven Bazlen

Timothy Belvin

An authentication protocol is disclosed for use in enhancing the security of communications between software applications and Internet-based service providers. The protocol incorporates a two level authentication model based on a distribution of authentication responsibilities, wherein the application authenticates users and the service provider authenticates the application. Embodiments of the protocol incorporate public key infrastructure and digital certificate technology. Other embodiments of the present invention pertain to applying a corresponding protocol to peer-to-peer communication scenarios.

Systems and methods for enhancing security of communication over a public network

Systems and methods are disclosed for storing sensitive data in a database, such as an application database or a dedicated application security database or store. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, user passwords are not directly stored in a database; but instead, when a password is entered, a one-way hash of the password phrase is produced for storage and/or comparison purposes. In accordance with another aspect, individual authorized application users are each aligned with their own version of an application-wide security key such that it becomes unnecessary to directly store the key in its original form. The security key is used to process sensitive data. In accordance with another aspect, a user's version of the application-wide security reflects an encryption-based relationship to the user's password. Various embodiments also support flexible access to particular collections of sensitive data based on user account and/or user role information.

Methods and systems for enabling secure storage of sensitive data

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Kirk Blackwood